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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Keep these items on your counter or in your pantry.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
20 Aug. 2025
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Salsa music plays from a boom box on the counter, where Amadeo tends to a pair of customers.—
Harrison Hill,
AFAR Media,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Finding that balance between using Daniels’ legs while still protecting him is something Leipold doesn’t take lightly.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Aug. 2025
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Getting this balance right across capabilities is a formidable and ever-evolving challenge.—
David Autor,
The Atlantic,
24 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 29 Aug. 2025.
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