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
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Recent Examples of counterweight
Moreover, Beijing likely sees solidifying a geopolitical counterweight to the United States and its allies as more important than preventing Iranian proliferation or reining in North Korea’s nuclear expansion.
—
Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
But in a reminder that Trump is not wildly popular with the electorate so much as unopposed by any effective political counterweight, groups of foreign tourists predominated among the parade’s early arrivals.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
With MacDougall and doctors watching over, the man died, and MacDougall noticed the scale’s counterweight dropped with surprising quickness.
—Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 18 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
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Mariano-Florentino CuÉllar, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
But in a reminder that Trump is not wildly popular with the electorate so much as unopposed by any effective political counterweight, groups of foreign tourists predominated among the parade’s early arrivals.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
With MacDougall and doctors watching over, the man died, and MacDougall noticed the scale’s counterweight dropped with surprising quickness.
—Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 18 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
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
-
The deceleration in hiring, uptick in corporate layoffs, still-weak consumer confidence, struggling housing market are all partial offsets to the thriving corporate and capex sector.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
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With an increasing share of capital migrating to passive, private credit provides compelling active management offset—and one that also contributes to the long-term health of our economy.—
Mike Terwilliger,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Psychedelics are famously associated with the hippie counter-culture of the radical ‘60s, but in recent years, their fast-acting effects are being taken more seriously in mainstream medicine.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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Mahmood said the suspect was not known to security services, counter-terror police or the Home Office’s Prevent program, a central plank of Britain’s strategy to combat terrorism.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Indeed, every nook and cranny is a thoughtful balance of comfort and refined elegance.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
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According to the current lawsuit, Fletcher has not paid his half of the minimum $1,500 per month restitution for the existing settlement, but his ex-wife has paid her portion, reducing the restitution balance to just under $56,000.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Topped with a fluffy meringue that’s as high as a skyscraper, the filling’s sharp tartness is a nice counterbalance to the rich, carb-heavy foods typically found on the holiday table.—
Nila Do Simon,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
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Delhi seeks to engage whoever is in power in Afghanistan as a counterbalance to Pakistan.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
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The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.—
Bruno V. Manno,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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