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
-
Practice intentionally throwing yourself off balance a little bit so your body must work to find its equilibrium again.—
Jessica DuLong,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
-
Malaysia’s chairmanship helped maintain this equilibrium by avoiding escalatory language while keeping diplomatic channels to Beijing open.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
While higher oil prices are a significant drag on many sectors within the US economy, the profits from US oil production provide a positive offset.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
-
Carbon offsets, electric vehicles, and glossy net-zero pledges are held up as solutions, while the core logic—produce more, ship further, grow faster—goes unchallenged.—
Nathalie Kelley,
Time,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
The disuse of clemency means that a succession of governors abdicated their ancient power to correct miscarriages of justice and temper justice with mercy, which Florida courts don’t do well.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
23 June 2025
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Trump Is Preparing for a US Attack on Iran Fifty years later, oceanographers are working to correct the record on sharks and educate people on why sharks are a critical part of the ocean's ecosystem and need to be protected.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
This was SpaceX's 465th landing, according to a counter on the company's website.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
23 June 2025
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To facilitate a counter, stores would have to add additional staff members.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
Verb
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The military said the battalion uses real-time detection and jamming tools to neutralize aerial threats, adding a critical layer to Israel's multi-tiered air defense network.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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Take steps to prevent dry mouth Saliva plays an essential role in neutralizing acids and protecting tooth enamel, but dry mouth affects nearly six in 10 older adults, according to AARP.—
Reem Amro,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Prosecutors accuse the men of concealing the fraud through complex financial transactions, and sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to people with special needs and their families.—
Jeff Martin,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
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Charles Schwab Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Noun
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But his stance has upended U.S. policy in South Asia, which had favored India as a counterweight to China, and put in question previously close relations between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
21 June 2025
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America must serve as a counterweight to China’s critical minerals deals in the region, but can’t fully do so until the region is more stable.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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