as in counter
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the belief that higher interest rates are an effective counterforce to inflationary pressures
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Recent Examples of counterforce
History shows that autocratic states like Russia are only deterred by a strong counterforce from a rival that balances it and threatens its survival.
—
William Walldorf, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Achieving peace in Gaza will therefore require a counterforce to Israel’s domestic political pressures.
—Eric Levitz, Vox, 3 June 2024
The idea is for two pylons to be attached to a special structure on the tower with cables that are expected to exert a counterforce should the tower start tipping more dangerously.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
William Walldorf, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Achieving peace in Gaza will therefore require a counterforce to Israel’s domestic political pressures.
—Eric Levitz, Vox, 3 June 2024
The idea is for two pylons to be attached to a special structure on the tower with cables that are expected to exert a counterforce should the tower start tipping more dangerously.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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Last fall, continuous glucose monitors became available over the counter.—
Jia Jung,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
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Examples of these newer antihistamines include: Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, which is typically found behind the counter.—
Karen Berger,
Verywell Health,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Federal debts that might trigger offsets include federal income tax delinquencies, student loan defaults, and SSA overpayments.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Banana plants propagate vegetatively by offsets that grow up from their base with masses of leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Spending controls and a rigid technical rulebook, rather than balance of performance, then, will be the plan.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
31 July 2025
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For men, loafers or espadrilles provide the perfect balance of sophistication and comfort.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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