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
Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
According to the filing, the robot allegedly activated without warning and pinned him to the ground with roughly 8,000 lbs of counterbalance weight.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
The pastel counterbalances the darker and mid-tones in the forecast.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
With grocery bills, childcare expenses and other household costs climbing, partly due to ongoing tariff impacts, the cooling rental market provides a modest but meaningful counterbalance.
—Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
According to the filing, the robot allegedly activated without warning and pinned him to the ground with roughly 8,000 lbs of counterbalance weight.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
First described by Albert Einstein in 1917, the constant was originally a coefficient intended to counterbalance gravitational force in a static universe.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
The pastel counterbalances the darker and mid-tones in the forecast.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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With an increasing share of capital migrating to passive, private credit provides compelling active management offset—and one that also contributes to the long-term health of our economy.—
Mike Terwilliger,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
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The calendar, which is printed on carbon offset paper with vegetable inks, features a different rescue dog each month, each with their own survival story and wearing their own fabulous fascinator.—
Monique Jessen,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pecans Pecans are loaded with polyphenolic compounds, especially ellagic acid and flavonoids, which help neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that lead to cell damage.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
30 Oct. 2025
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While most scented soaps do a mediocre job of masking food smells with harsh, cheap fragrances, Naomi’s scrub neutralizes offending odors with bread-yeast enzymes, then leaves behind subtle, but incredibly luxurious notes of bergamot, black pepper, sandalwood, and ginger.—
Editors of Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sift the flours into a mound in a large bowl or on a clean work counter and make a well in the center.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Online commenters claiming to have attended the protests said some rallies were disrupted by supporters of the Counter-Racist Action Collective, an organization that has staged counter-protests in the past.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To that point, the settlement attempts to correct an economic harm and cannot address possible harms that are contemplated by other areas of law.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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Therefore, fairness dictates that blue states take action and gerrymander to the greatest extent allowed under federal law to correct the unfair advantage taken by Republicans, thereby leveling the playing field.—
Marc Lampe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Subtle hints of vanilla bean and cocoa add sweetness and balance to the scent profile, and its black jar goes with just about anything.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
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The remaining balance would be paid directly to Black folk once a year.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
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The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.—
Bruno V. Manno,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Each tram has eight passenger cars and is powered by a typical heavy-duty elevator mechanism with cables, counterweights, etc.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
28 Oct. 2025
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According to the outlets, the pair heard a loud bang and the elevator cabin jammed before eventually falling down the shaft, along with a number of concrete counterweights.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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