as in offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
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Recent Examples of counterbalanced
Designed by group collaborator and designer Dorothee Meilichzon, the rooms’ whimsical stylings are cleverly counterbalanced with classic details like parquet flooring, white walls and linens, and light wood.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Those losses were then counterbalanced by a road victory against Butler at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse and a third straight win over NCAA Tournament shoo-in Saint Mary’s in Idaho Falls.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
This is counterbalanced by Coach, Colby, and Joe linking up to form the Super Tough, Very Muscular, All Integrity, No Lying Man Squad, No Girlz Allowed.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The researchers counterbalanced the Casimir effect with a force generated by a flux.
—Quanta Magazine, 14 Jan. 2026
But that is counterbalanced by some sweeter notes of ripe and dried stone and tropical fruit, along with a bit of vanilla and a hint of maple.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025
China is cast not as an enemy but as a strategic rival whose economic power must be counterbalanced through tariffs, reindustrialization and alliances.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
That was counterbalanced by a crew of youngsters who fit the Right to Dream philosophy of bloodying them early and often.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2025
Obsessed anglers who lived in Key West, and whose fiction sometimes gravitates toward horses, blood sports, and male protagonists with a masculine swagger counterbalanced by a certain reflective, existentialist temperament—the similarities between the two are obvious, yet go only so far.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Those losses were then counterbalanced by a road victory against Butler at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse and a third straight win over NCAA Tournament shoo-in Saint Mary’s in Idaho Falls.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
This is counterbalanced by Coach, Colby, and Joe linking up to form the Super Tough, Very Muscular, All Integrity, No Lying Man Squad, No Girlz Allowed.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The researchers counterbalanced the Casimir effect with a force generated by a flux.
—Quanta Magazine, 14 Jan. 2026
But that is counterbalanced by some sweeter notes of ripe and dried stone and tropical fruit, along with a bit of vanilla and a hint of maple.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025
China is cast not as an enemy but as a strategic rival whose economic power must be counterbalanced through tariffs, reindustrialization and alliances.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
That was counterbalanced by a crew of youngsters who fit the Right to Dream philosophy of bloodying them early and often.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2025
Obsessed anglers who lived in Key West, and whose fiction sometimes gravitates toward horses, blood sports, and male protagonists with a masculine swagger counterbalanced by a certain reflective, existentialist temperament—the similarities between the two are obvious, yet go only so far.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalanced
Verb
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And while member nations have agreed to release 400 million barrels in strategic reserves, the daily flow from those stockpiles will be far short of offsetting the daily flow that’s been cut off.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Unseasonably warm ocean waters can partially offset the effects of unfavorable atmospheric winds.—
Dan Peck,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Turkey’s defense ministry said the North Atlantic Treaty Organization neutralized an Iranian ballistic missile that entered the country’s airspace on Friday, the third such interception since March 4.—
Skylar Woodhouse,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Even today, almond extract, used in baking and as an ingredient of marzipan, is made from oil of bitter almonds whose toxicity has been neutralized.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This story has been corrected to show the new president is Ravi Bellamkonda, not Ballamkonda.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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The disaster led to a fateful decision that many now believe held the city back — something that will finally be corrected this year, on May 8.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalanced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalanced. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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