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
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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But apart from a few good counter-attacks early on, Spurs struggled to get a foothold in the game, or to stem the flow when Sunderland took control.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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The first is a nod to Zao’s assembly-line counter setup, which is similar to the build-your-own concept used by Chipotle Mexican Grill.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The significance of the fault and recognition of its large cumulative offset would not be fully appreciated until the advent of plate tectonics more than 50 years later.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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Lastly, what about those spending offsets?—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In between, Rayo have struck a balance under former Andoni Iraola assistant Inigo Perez.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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McCarthy added that achieving Spanx’s signature smoothing in a lighter-weight denim required a highly intentional balance of fabric innovation and construction.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Paint can also be a powerful corrective.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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