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
-
They are defined under equilibrium conditions where the system is stable over time.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
-
But while the market appears balanced, the transition from summer languidity to fall busyness could set the stage for a sharp transition in dynamics and an equilibrium shock.—
John Walkup,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Thanks to such voodoo carbon accounting, sellers of forest carbon offsets elsewhere are having to refund buyers due to unmet growth projections.—
John P. O’Brien,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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Simply pinch off any offset or irregular branches with your fingers or garden snips so that the plant has a more rounded appearance.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In June 2024, the district ordered Tesla to correct ongoing violations of toxic air pollution coming from the factory’s paint shops, allegations the company denied.—
Taylor Kate Brown,
ProPublica,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Course-correcting a technical process is like truing a wheel.—
Barbara Wittmann,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Given City’s soft centre has come from a failure to cope with counter-attacks and a lack of pace to defend in a high line, Khusanov may just be the blunt force antidote Guardiola needs.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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An available 138-L compressor drawer fridge with 12-L freezer takes up the bulk of the under-counter foundation, providing loads of space for perishables.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The gun lobby uses this window of opportunity to step in and neutralize legislative action before sustained pressure builds.—
John J. Donohue,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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This represents asymmetric warfare for the digital age, where a relatively small number of hackers can potentially neutralize the world’s most advanced economy by weaponizing its own digital infrastructure.—
Bob Ackerman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Nonetheless, with policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance.—
Adeola Adeosun
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The result is a fragrance that strikes the right balance between clean and confectionery, with a softness that’s like being wrapped in a cashmere blanket.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.—
Bruno V. Manno,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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That makes Leo’s ascension well timed to offer a corrective.—
Mike Burbach,
Twin Cities,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The aim of Turning Point was to engage young Republicans and serve as a counterweight to liberal groups.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk and the businessman, William Montgomery, would start Turning Point USA with the aim of engaging young Republicans, a counterweight to liberal groups.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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