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
as in neutralizes
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 counterbalances
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
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
-
Lastly, what about those spending offsets?—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Lastly, what about those spending offsets?—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes the strength part neutralizes his athleticism and neutralizes his skills.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Especially because the historicization does something to Martin’s writing, tossing in a saccharine element that neutralizes some of his humor.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Explosive get-off and a deep bag of moves/counters fuel his pocket disruption.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Perfect peppers, minus the frustration of messy counters.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This version corrects the two other alternates were Keith Mitchell and Taylor Moore.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Discover the altered gene, place healthy versions of the gene into innocuous viruses, give those to patients, hope that kickstarts the CFTR protein and corrects the problem.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The three-bedroom home balances character with a livable layout, with two dining spaces with pebble stone floors, a wood-burning fireplace, and an antique wood table.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
-
These exercises work the quads in different ways, from eccentric engagement on downhill walks to isometric activation during single-leg balances.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Benadryl Extra-Strength Anti-Itch Cooling Spray counteracts the burning sensation with a cooling one.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
This serum purportedly counteracts that, working to de-age the scalp, thus thickening and strengthening strands.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Patrick O’Rourke, who represented Children’s Hospital Colorado, countered that Eckhart was right in determining the harm to the hospital outweighs the plaintiffs’ loss of care, but made a mistake in concluding the decision to stop the care was likely discrimination.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
-
This is one of those tools where the risk genuinely outweighs the reward — and there are far better ways to deal with clogged pores.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalances. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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