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
Corporate volunteering may offer a counterforce to the disillusionment, anxiety, loneliness, and apathy that define much of modern life.
—
Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Or maybe fast-food chains did streamline their business processes with the help of new technologies, but at the same time, maybe there were productivity-sucking counterforces.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Or maybe fast-food chains did streamline their business processes with the help of new technologies, but at the same time, maybe there were productivity-sucking counterforces.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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On the other side of the living area was my and my husband’s room, with a king bed draped in netting, an en-suite bathroom with two stone sinks, live-edge wood counters, and a rain shower with a large window to outside, and a larger terrace with a hammock.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Casting Emraan Hashmi in the lead was a deliberate act of counter-programming.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Because of this slight offset, stars will appear to rise four minutes earlier every 24 hours on successive nights.—
Vahe Peroomian,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
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In some cases, benefit offsets (where the VA withholds part of your monthly benefit to repay a debt) can be adjusted to reduce the financial strain.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Italy starter Michael Lorenzen allowed two hits in 4 2/3 scoreless innings to keep the Americans off balance.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Techa Tungateja/Getty Images Elevated living costs, growing credit card balances and lingering financial strain from the past few years have pushed many borrowers to reconsider their debt strategies right now.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These are all refreshing correctives to the texts that previously stood in for contemporary Japan internationally, including any number of small volumes about magical cafés, bookshops, or libraries, often with cats on their covers.—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
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The Young Hoteliers Academy positions itself as a corrective.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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