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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
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
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
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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Soda drinkers have been experimenting with mash-ups for decades — ever since fast-food restaurants moved soda machines out from behind the counter and gave customers free rein to mix their own drinks, Tofel said.—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
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Once a counter-puncher, Svitolina plays a more aggressive style since returning from maternity leave.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If the offset resumed, some taxpayers would see their refunds reduced or eliminated, likely triggering headaches at the IRS, too, even though the IRS does not control offset decisions.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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If the offset resumed, some taxpayers would see their refunds reduced or eliminated, likely triggering headaches at the IRS, too, even though the IRS does not control offset decisions.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Unlike earlier models limited to upper-body tasks, Helix 02 uses a single neural network to control walking, manipulation, and balance together, directly from raw sensor data.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Dickerson and Stephens are both current on their car loans and working with National Debt Relief to reduce their credit card balances.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Young Hoteliers Academy positions itself as a corrective.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
-
His most ambitious series to date, Pluribus can be seen as a corrective of sorts—a grand, artful, mind-bendingly philosophical, darkly funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but consistently humane vindication of our fractious species.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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