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
Menin, who did not endorse Mamdani for mayor, is widely seen as a likely counterweight.
—
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
The role leans into Tyler’s natural charisma and timing, positioning Wally as both a mirror and a counterweight to Marty’s ambition.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
This was based on something that really happened at the Palais Garnier in Paris on May 20, 1896, when a counterweight on the chandelier in the main auditorium collapsed and left a person dead.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
This philosophy stands as a counterweight to the throwaway consumer culture that has dominated electronics and appliances for decades.
—New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
The role leans into Tyler’s natural charisma and timing, positioning Wally as both a mirror and a counterweight to Marty’s ambition.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
This was based on something that really happened at the Palais Garnier in Paris on May 20, 1896, when a counterweight on the chandelier in the main auditorium collapsed and left a person dead.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
This philosophy stands as a counterweight to the throwaway consumer culture that has dominated electronics and appliances for decades.
—New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
-
Houses have been being built here since the early 1900s, and so there's different offsets.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Top with half of the Nutella, swirling it into the batter with a small offset spatula or a butter knife.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
From behind the counter of his tiny store, The Latin Corner, surrounded by candies, snacks and other goods from his homeland of Venezuela, David Villanueva’s eyes are glued to a flat screen TV.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
-
FreshCo has kept its market component, which allows customers to purchase fish or stone crabs at the counter and take them home.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The perfect balance for a sport that jostles between exquisite and excruciating.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Peterson, who did indeed return to the court, was hacked on an off-balance 3 with one second to play.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Already racking up 15 Emmy nominations (and two wins), this HBO prequel series reinvigorates the franchise with breathtaking cinematography and CGI, stellar directing choices, and exceptional performances — offering a satisfying counterbalance to GOT's divisive end.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Despite the nickname, Meathead existed largely as a moral counterbalance to Archie, a bigoted, lovable loudmouth who battled with the younger generation over all the ways the times were a-changin’.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Young Hoteliers Academy positions itself as a corrective.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
-
His most ambitious series to date, Pluribus can be seen as a corrective of sorts—a grand, artful, mind-bendingly philosophical, darkly funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but consistently humane vindication of our fractious species.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share