counterbalances 1 of 2

plural of counterbalance
as in offsets
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

counterbalances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of counterbalance

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 counterbalances
Verb
That uncertainty and rise in unemployment tends to fuel a near-term dip in demand for goods, which counterbalances the price increases from tariffs. David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026 The pastel counterbalances the darker and mid-tones in the forecast. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025 The book counterbalances the weirdo factor with multiple heartwarming Disney Adult interviews, including one with an amputee who achieved a running goal at a Disney race and another in which a woman reprioritized, choosing a church mission trip instead of financing another Disney World adventure. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalances
Noun
  • But some regions use half-hour or 45-minute offsets to better align with solar time or for the sake of national identity.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
  • Along with the lack of provisions in the bill, these members took issue with the bill containing no offsets for the $95 billion in spending.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • This strategy neutralizes both RSV A and B strains and remains effective against numerous global variants.
    William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Baking soda neutralizes odors instead of masking them, binding with the compounds that actually cause smells rather than covering them up.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • In the beginning, the caramel, nougat, and peanut clusters were hand-dipped in chocolate and sold unwrapped at candy counters.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 July 2026
  • Roach works inside the pocket with an excellent chin and counters accurately.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • This report corrects the total number of dead from the 2009 fire at Bangkok's Santika nightclub to 67.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Soon after, Hawk absentmindedly corrects Piña’s English, prompting her to air her own frustrations with their relationship.
    Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Exposed information may include names, email addresses, gift card balances and the last four digits of credit or debit card numbers.
    Kimberly Tutuska, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • As a share of total equity market capitalization, these balances remain below prior cyclical peaks, but the pace of increase over the past two years is notable.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Evaporation is a phase change that counteracts warming temperatures and raises humidity in the air.
    Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Some sunscreens only exacerbate existing redness and inflammation, but EltaMD’s is not only sensitive skin-friendly, but the green tint counteracts any naturally-occurring redness in the skin.
    Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The judge’s decision said that the district’s interest in efficiency outweighs Alzubi’s interest in speaking on matters of public concern.
    Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
  • However, for someone at substantial cardiovascular risk, the reduction in heart attacks and strokes generally outweighs this small increase in diabetes risk.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterbalances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalances. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on counterbalances

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster