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 Ornelas and some of her colleagues have recently created the Health and Power Organizing Project, a coalition of academics and advocates to provide a counterweight to political headwinds. — Anil Oza, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026 When the counterweight drops, its momentum raises the other end of the seesaw, tossing the sling up in a big arc. — ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026 The new cohort of LatAm petrostates is emerging as an OPEC counterweight the US can’t afford to neglect, especially since its barrels don’t have to move through any dangerous straits. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 With the 22 pound (10 kg) counterweight, Stanton could hit the 394 miles per hour (mph) with his projectile. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
  1. offset
  2. counter
  3. balance
  4. counterbalance
  5. corrective
Noun
  • Axelrod suggested Melton try throwing his cutter more like a four-seam fastball, with a slight offset on the grip.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Step 5 Using an offset spatula, spread garlic butter evenly over dough.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of offset
Noun
  • For breakfast, go and grab a stool at the counter at Nagle's Apothecary Cafe and order the daily frittata.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Beijing, however, holds counter-leverage through its dominance of the rare earths used in humanoid actuators and motors, Wang said.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of counter
Noun
  • Tokayev, who has sought to maintain a delicate balance between Moscow and the West since sanctions were imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine, has justified the changes by citing the need for rapid decision-making in a fast-changing world.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • For members who fall above that income range, HAAM offers a more limited subsidy, covering 50% of their premium balances.
    — Olivia Aldridge, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of balance
Noun
  • Labneh with lemon and garlic is a tangy counterbalance, and a final sprinkling of mint and cayenne pepper adds just a little kick.
    — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In past decades, the reductions in demand needed to counterbalance shortages in supply came primarily from advanced economies, which consumed the most oil.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of counterbalance
Noun
  • 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
  • Officials argue that graduate debt accounts for more than one-third of the federal student loan portfolio, making tightening limits a necessary fiscal corrective.
    — David S. Shapiro, STAT, 30 June 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 30 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All