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
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This approach is at its most successful in In Farthest Seas, even as Romano maintains an impossible equilibrium throughout, effectively balancing each word and each epiphany within the musical whole.—
Brian Robert Moore
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
While unemployment remains stable for now, experts warn the equilibrium is fragile, and even a modest rise in layoffs could have wider ripple effects throughout the economy.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
From the industry side, properties that promote energy-saving certifications or offer carbon-offset partnerships tend to stand out in search results and get more interest.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Offsetting that — and there does seem to be an offset for everything — are the dramatic cutbacks in drilling as a result of the decline in oil prices.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Under the new process, property owners will still receive a notice when a violation occurs, but if the issue is not corrected within seven days, the Parks and Recreation Department will step in to mow or clean the property, the release states.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Hamilton attempted to correct the oversteer but crashed into the barrier, severely damaging the front right section of his SF-25.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the short film, Pitt walks into his picturesque kitchen and heads for the coffeemaker on his counter.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Local hotels offer features like roll-in showers, lower counters, and braille signage to accommodate guests with various disabilities.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That neutralized the advantage Sabalenka would have expected, and forced Sabalenka into first hitting more shots than she’s used to, and then going for too-small margins because of Pegula’s defensive skills once the rallies started.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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People can also receive neutralizing antibodies to fight the infection, experts advise.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At the same time, concern is growing about how certain food additives and preservatives may disrupt the gut’s delicate balance.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
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Late in the second quarter, facing second-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 35, Rodgers led receiver Calvin Austin III perfectly with one of those off-balance wrist-flick throws 14 yards past the line of scrimmage from the far hash, for a 30-yard gain.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 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
-
That makes Leo’s ascension well timed to offer a corrective.—
Mike Burbach,
Twin Cities,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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DeSantis has long styled Florida as a counterweight to federal public health directives.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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The purpose of Iran is Shiite theocracy, for its own sake and as a counterweight to democratic, secular, and Sunni governments allied with the United States in the region.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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