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
The move is intended to undercut any GOP gains in Texas, potentially swinging House control and giving Democrats a counterweight to Trump on Capitol Hill.
—
Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Despite the growing economic gap between India and China, New Delhi can still play an important role in shaping geopolitical trends and acting as a counterweight to Beijing.
—Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
Intended as a strategic counterweight to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, this project similarly marginalized the Palestinians, offering them only symbolic gestures.
—Ami Ayalon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025
There is, of course, the People’s Republic of China, which — is strong enough to stand up to Trump’s bullying and dynamic enough to stand as a counterweight to American economic might.
—Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Despite the growing economic gap between India and China, New Delhi can still play an important role in shaping geopolitical trends and acting as a counterweight to Beijing.
—Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025
Intended as a strategic counterweight to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, this project similarly marginalized the Palestinians, offering them only symbolic gestures.
—Ami Ayalon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025
There is, of course, the People’s Republic of China, which — is strong enough to stand up to Trump’s bullying and dynamic enough to stand as a counterweight to American economic might.
—Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
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An Education Department spokesperson told CNBC in an email Tuesday that the department has not offset any Social Security benefits since restarting collections on May 5 and has paused future Social Security offsets.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
13 Aug. 2025
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And even with a partial offset, child care is a huge expense and most companies simply don’t have the margin to subsidize it.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These products can cause serious injury or death to young children who are climbing on the counter or crawling through the opening at the back.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
5 Aug. 2025
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For each of the four grill packets, place a 16-inch-long sheet of heavy-duty foil on the counter.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The acidity from the tomatoes and the sweetness from the corn balance the smokiness out nicely, as does the rich queso fresco and fresh cilantro.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
12 Aug. 2025
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Incorporating lateral lunges into your routine targets multiple muscle groups, improving balance and coordination.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This allows enough scope to counterbalance concessions in areas of strategic interest.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
24 July 2025
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Goff’s designs and architectural career are important counterbalances to the dominance of modernist principles in twentieth-century architecture.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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