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

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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
  • The budget resolution has a top line of $95 billion in spending, and does not include instructions for offsets, a sore point for fiscal hawks who oppose spending without budgetary cuts to reduce spending levels.
    Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026
  • The resolution does not seek any offsets to pay for the new spending.
    Kevin Freking, Fortune, 15 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
  • Progressive Field counters with Momocho’s gourmet nachos, a Slider Dog topped with Froot Loops, bacon and pimento mac and cheese, plus Ohio City Burrito’s massive burritos and famous queso.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Monolithic gray counters and softened architectural forms are interspersed with furniture and lighting from Yakusha’s Faina collection.
    Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 14 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
  • That means late payments, unpaid balances and any resulting damage to credit can affect both people.
    Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
  • In the first quarter, for example, balances on home-equity lines of credit jumped $14 billion from a year earlier, to $446 billion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 22 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
  • Tea can hydrate you, as its water content usually outweighs the caffeine’s diuretic effect.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 20 July 2026
  • Disclosure of these records would therefore constitute an invasion of privacy that outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Counterbalances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalances. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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