1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
a musical piece with a counterpoise of loud and soft passages
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the happiness brought by a new baby was a timely counterpoise to the grief occasioned by a death in the family
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
her overall healthiness largely counterpoised the virulence of the infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterpoise
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Noun
Molina, the embodiment of theatrical excellence, is perfectly cast as the rational counterpoise to Brady’s zealotry.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Verb
Indeed, the Western, that peculiarly American contribution to the world’s store of epic and saga, often depends on the tale of a defeated Confederate at large to enforce virtue, someone whose heroic individualism is counterpoised with the superficial discipline of the federal troops.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoise
Noun
-
This chart represents a domestic market with the intersection of the supply and demand lines representing the equilibrium point.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
4 June 2025
-
As bond market prices seek a new equilibrium, risk and reward dynamics can become unanchored from fundamentals, as exemplified by this article’s findings.—
Ivan Illan,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The 15% offset is calculated from your total benefit amount before any deductions, such as your Medicare premium, Kantrowitz said.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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The Joint Committee on Taxation, the official revenue scorer for Congress, estimates the tax components will add $3.7 trillion to the deficit over the next decade after offsets are calculated.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
That misunderstanding was corrected in short order and chalked up to a learning experience.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
-
Most violations were corrected during the inspection.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
This watch has a brown leather strap with off-white stitching and a striking green matte finish dial, complemented by a seconds’ counter at the 9 o’clock position and a red hand.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Unlike the others, which are built more for smartphones and desktops, Amazon is clearly trying to lock in its place on the kitchen counter with Alexa+.—
Mike Feibus,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 85 drones and one missile into the country overnight, of which 49 drones were shot down or otherwise neutralized.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
11 June 2025
-
Frederiksen has a broader support base than many as a Social Democrat whose tough immigration policies have helped neutralize support for the far-right.—
Matthew Tostevin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Noun
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That balance of old and young spirits yields a palate that leads with sweet vanilla and cherry notes and ends with baking spice and ripe apple, a must try for Japanese-whisky fans.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
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After Appeals Court Pauses Ruling While the bolster gives support and balance to the knife, the lightness of the bolster-free Japanese knives offers ergonomic benefits.—
Akiko Katayama,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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In all, the news formed a sobering and immediate counterweight to investors’ hopes of just hours ago.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
29 May 2025
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Her footwear — pointed-toe suede stilettos — offered a matte counterweight to the dress’s high-shine finish, maintaining the overall monochrome palette while introducing a subtle shift in texture.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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