as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
hard work can often be a counterweight to modest intelligence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counterweight
Law portrays a younger Putin, depicted as ruthlessly calculating and enigmatic, while Alicia Vikander plays Ksenia, Baranov’s lover and moral counterweight.
—
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
Broadhead provides the counterweight.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Trump sees lower interest rates as a pathway to manage the swelling federal debt while boosting a housing market that has been a counterweight to an otherwise growing economy.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2025
India’s presence at the event is the most telling example yet of the warming ties between the two Asian powers – a budding realignment that threatens to undo years-long US efforts to cultivate New Delhi as a counterweight against a rising and increasingly assertive China.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
Broadhead provides the counterweight.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Trump sees lower interest rates as a pathway to manage the swelling federal debt while boosting a housing market that has been a counterweight to an otherwise growing economy.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2025
India’s presence at the event is the most telling example yet of the warming ties between the two Asian powers – a budding realignment that threatens to undo years-long US efforts to cultivate New Delhi as a counterweight against a rising and increasingly assertive China.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
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
-
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
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
-
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
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
-
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
-
Initially powered by a water counterbalance system, it was soon converted to steam in 1886 and later electrified by 1915.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The counterbalance to this setup is that unemployment remains low.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share