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
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
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
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
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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To facilitate a counter, stores would have to add additional staff members.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
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This was SpaceX's 465th landing, according to a counter on the company's website.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
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While higher oil prices are a significant drag on many sectors within the US economy, the profits from US oil production provide a positive offset.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
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Carbon offsets, electric vehicles, and glossy net-zero pledges are held up as solutions, while the core logic—produce more, ship further, grow faster—goes unchallenged.—
Nathalie Kelley,
Time,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Flexibility and work-life balance without the loss of structure and collaboration.—
Maria Ross,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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Charles Schwab Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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