Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

counterpoise

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of 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 of counterpoise

balance, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, stasis
Words Related to counterpoise

counterbalance, offset

firmness, fixedness, security, stability, steadiness
Near Antonyms of counterpoise

changeability, fluctuation, inconstancy, insecurity, instability, mutability, precariousness, shakiness, unsteadiness, volatility
Antonyms of counterpoise

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 of counterpoise

balance, canceler (or canceller), corrective, counter, counteraction, counterbalance, counterforce, counterweight, equipoise, neutralizer, offset
Words Related to counterpoise

trade-off

ballast, weight

counterpoise

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of counterpoise

to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective

  • her overall healthiness largely counterpoised the virulence of the infection
Synonyms of counterpoise

annul, cancel (out), compensate (for), correct, counteract, counterbalance, make up (for), negative, neutralize, offset
Words Related to counterpoise

invalidate, negate, neuter, nullify

atone (for)

outbalance, outweigh, redeem

redress, relieve, remedy

override, overrule

Learn More about counterpoise

  1. See words that rhyme with counterpoise Dictionary: Definition of counterpoise Britannica English: Translation of counterpoise for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about counterpoise

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up counterpoise? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games