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
-
In these zones, the fault splits into multiple strands with sideways offsets between them, creating small extension gaps inside the fault system.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
Those bulbs spread and multiply by forming little bulblets called offsets, and those grow into larger bulbs.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The treatment neutralizes the virus and blocks its ability to enter and infect healthy cells.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Weapon neutralizes threats Known as a soft-kill weapon, the technology neutralizes threats without physically exploding or destroying them.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Old food debris was found on the floor beneath all cooking equipment, shelves, prep counters and refrigerators.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 22,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
-
The country's airports, highways, rental counters and hotel front desks are about to face the first real stress test of the season.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, premiering May 20 on Apple TV, corrects this oversight.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 May 2026
-
The Future Success Profile corrects that at the root.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Seoul’s café culture balances design, craft and ritual at a high level.—
Melinda Sheckells,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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The accounting treatment removes the tariff impact from underlying cost of sales and inventory balances and ensures comparability of underlying year-on-year performance.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
19 May 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
-
In a stunning rebuke, the Board of Governors rejected his appointment, forcing UF to restart the search and deepening concerns among faculty and alumni that ideological alignment now outweighs academic credentials in Florida university leadership.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
-
Federal officials say the need for the border wall outweighs other interests.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalances. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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