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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Example Sentences
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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
-
Psychedelics are famously associated with the hippie counter-culture of the radical ‘60s, but in recent years, their fast-acting effects are being taken more seriously in mainstream medicine.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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Mahmood said the suspect was not known to security services, counter-terror police or the Home Office’s Prevent program, a central plank of Britain’s strategy to combat terrorism.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The deceleration in hiring, uptick in corporate layoffs, still-weak consumer confidence, struggling housing market are all partial offsets to the thriving corporate and capex sector.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
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With an increasing share of capital migrating to passive, private credit provides compelling active management offset—and one that also contributes to the long-term health of our economy.—
Mike Terwilliger,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Indeed, every nook and cranny is a thoughtful balance of comfort and refined elegance.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
-
According to the current lawsuit, Fletcher has not paid his half of the minimum $1,500 per month restitution for the existing settlement, but his ex-wife has paid her portion, reducing the restitution balance to just under $56,000.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
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The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.—
Bruno V. Manno,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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