counterpoise

1 a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another a musical piece with a counterpoise of loud and soft passages Synonyms balance, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, stasisRelated Words counterbalance, offset; firmness, fixedness, security, stability, steadinessNear Antonyms changeability, fluctuation, inconstancy, insecurity, instability, mutability, precariousness, shakiness, unsteadiness, volatilityAntonyms disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance

2 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 balance, canceler (or canceller), corrective, counter, counteraction, counterforce, counterbalance, counterweight, equipoise, neutralizer, offsetRelated Words trade-off; ballast, weight