as in offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counterbalanced
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
While Simmons and Frehley were known for their complex and often fraught relationship, Frehley’s unpredictable nature and distinctive laugh counterbalanced Simmons more somber, business-minded demeanor.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The problem of unchecked power is not nearly counterbalanced by any number of indulgences the wielder of that power deigns to bestow.
—Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Although proximity makes for easier studies, this is counterbalanced against the system’s vexing complexity.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
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
While Simmons and Frehley were known for their complex and often fraught relationship, Frehley’s unpredictable nature and distinctive laugh counterbalanced Simmons more somber, business-minded demeanor.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The problem of unchecked power is not nearly counterbalanced by any number of indulgences the wielder of that power deigns to bestow.
—Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Although proximity makes for easier studies, this is counterbalanced against the system’s vexing complexity.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalanced
Verb
-
Costco is working to offset the cost of tariffs and is raising prices selectively.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Like Beck, Moniak rated negatively in defensive WAR in ’25, but the defensive drawback could be offset by platooning him in right field.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Leafs neutralized two of the most dangerous players in the league, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Visible light passes through the gaps, but the high-energy waves of an EMP are snagged and neutralized by the conductive pattern.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
8 Feb. 2026
-
An error in an application cannot be corrected after the deadline.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalanced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalanced. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
