counterweight

noun

ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌwāt How to pronounce counterweight (audio)
Definition of counterweightnext
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 The letter is spearheaded by Guardrails Action, the nonprofit affiliated with Guardrails Alliance, the super PAC launched in June as a counterweight to pro-AI election groups. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 In that, the vinyl panel turns the 18th-century style on its head, becoming a subversive counterweight to its typically placid, pastoral energy. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 Ukraine’s army is currently the only real counterweight to Russian military power on the continent, and it would then be turned against Europe itself. — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 Kremer, for his part, is the former president of the Missouri Farmers Union — the state chapter of the National Farmers Union, which is a small but mighty counterweight to the Big Ag lobby groups like NPPC. — Kenny Torrella, Vox, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
  1. offset
  2. counter
  3. balance
  4. counterbalance
  5. corrective
Noun
  • The gorgeous and tasty caramel and cream cheese frosting looks the best when applied with a small offset spatula to give it that swirly effect on the cake.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
  • As an offset, the company's third quarter backlog increased 90% year over year.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of offset
Noun
  • Guests who think an occasional bottle of wine flung on the counter has rendered this custom obsolete should note that any sensible hostess will disagree.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • After a long study of multiple clips, Williams urged Miller to his feet, balancing the laptop in the palm of one hand while demonstrating where the forward should place his hands at each stage of an offensive player’s drive and counter.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of counter
Noun
  • The contract bars balance-billing patients beyond insured rates and limits annual adjustments to South Region medical and transportation inflation markers.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Interest and fees increase the loan balance, reducing equity available for future needs.
    — Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of balance
Noun
  • Leeds is in the zone here, and because most of the tracks are about the same length and there are no ambient interludes or pop-length counterbalances, the album’s lengthy runtime ends up sliding by pretty easily.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The counterbalance is both Eaton and GE Vernova stand to benefit from the electric grid overhaul that needs to happen, irrespective of AI.
    — Alexa LoMonaco,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of counterbalance
Noun
  • The need for correctives is extensive, and the work is well under way.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, a pastor from Weatherford who voted for the mandate, framed the changes as a corrective.
    — Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Definition of corrective

Browse Nearby Words

counterviews
counterweight
counterweights
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All