as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterbalance
Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Trump’s accession to the White House has removed this counterbalance.
—Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025
Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
In less affluent countries, like Mexico, bigger households are more common than in Europe or the United States – which could counterbalance a relative lack of wealth.
—Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
Four key areas of action are high priorities: First, promote U.S. competitiveness interests globally and counterbalance China’s geostrategy.
—Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Trump’s accession to the White House has removed this counterbalance.
—Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
Washington, having failed to convince Beijing to change its predatory economic policies or to move forward with an alternative trading bloc to counterbalance China, was left with one option: the United States had to become more like China.
—Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
In less affluent countries, like Mexico, bigger households are more common than in Europe or the United States – which could counterbalance a relative lack of wealth.
—Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
-
Any offsets or wage garnishment launched on a borrower’s loan will stop.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2025
-
After offset or wage garnishment has begun, borrowers can still object or request a hearing, but that won’t stop the offset or garnishment unless the borrower ultimately prevails. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
Theodore also made a handful of nice defensive plays in the opening frame, neutralizing what looked like dangerous rush chances with strong stick checks.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
Here, 15 members of Forbes Coaches Council explain how to manage negative thoughts at work and neutralize their impact.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
From a pocket of the coat Heiss removed Prima’s note and her ribbon and tossed them onto the counter.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
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Both teams had a deep understanding of the other and had already seen multiple in-game adjustments and counters to keep the playoff tactical battle alive.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Verb
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The mistake was caught within minutes and officials were alerted so that it could be corrected, according to a team source.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
The President has said the nation is experiencing a setback that will be corrected by manufacturing jobs being created in the U.S. Biden has been publicly quiet about the incessant criticism that continues to come from his successor.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Initial research suggests that practicing somatic yoga may help improve stress, chronic pain, trauma, flexibility, and balance.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
8 May 2025
-
Equally important are user-friendly solutions that integrate smoothly into existing workflows, striking the right balance between security and usability.—
David Schiffer,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Caught between these poles is Europe, once seen as a potential counterweight to the power of Big Tech.—
Ian Bremmer,
Foreign Affairs,
13 May 2025
-
Many Latin American governments also want to keep Beijing onside — chiefly as an economic partner, but for some also as a counterweight to U.S. power, experts said.—
Chris Buckley,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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