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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New York — Alpha Oumar Diallo hunches over a kitchen counter at a library café in Brooklyn, his nose hovering above a plastic container of brownie batter.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
13 July 2025
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Some of the requests included a stronger counter drone system, counter assault team and counter snipers on the premises, according to the report.—
Emily Mae Czachor
July 13,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Debt underwriting revenue, however, was a slight offset, declining slightly due to lower leveraged finance activity.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
16 July 2025
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At that rate, afforestation offsets would cost the 200 largest fossil fuel companies around $10.8 trillion — or roughly 11% of global GDP, according to the study.—
Hayley Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Each society or jurisdiction will determine the right balance of these elements to achieve the overarching policy goals under a set of normative values.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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Her look included an A-line poplin skirt with crisp pleats that create shape and volume and a simple white tank top, striking the perfect balance between polished and relaxed.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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