as in offsets
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 counterweights
Each tram has eight passenger cars and is powered by a typical heavy-duty elevator mechanism with cables, counterweights, etc.
—
Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
According to the outlets, the pair heard a loud bang and the elevator cabin jammed before eventually falling down the shaft, along with a number of concrete counterweights.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
They should be cultivated as counterweights to an overpowering security establishment.
—Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 26 Apr. 2018
Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
According to the outlets, the pair heard a loud bang and the elevator cabin jammed before eventually falling down the shaft, along with a number of concrete counterweights.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
They should be cultivated as counterweights to an overpowering security establishment.
—Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 26 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweights
Noun
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If your aloe has produced offsets, when repotting, separate the offsets from the parent plant with a sharp knife.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Feb. 2026
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Carbon offsets were achieved through the reforestation of the Nhamabwe salt pan with indigenous mangroves from the lodge’s own nursery.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Accessible by stairs or elevator, the expansive kitchen on the garden level is decked out with double islands featuring White Danby marble counters.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
13 Feb. 2026
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Wipe down any small appliances (don’t forget underneath), bottles or storage containers, or decorations on your counters to remove dust or grease buildup every week.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Discover brought with it billions worth of credit card balances, which would be equally as impacted by an interest rate limit.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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Gregg Phillips, an associate administrator at FEMA, said at a hearing this week that its disaster relief fund has sufficient balances to continue emergency response activities during a shutdown, but would become seriously strained in the event of a catastrophic disaster.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
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These are not radical demands, but overdue correctives necessary for restoring public trust in higher education.—
Ilya Shapiro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterweights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweights. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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