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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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The deceleration in hiring, uptick in corporate layoffs, still-weak consumer confidence, struggling housing market are all partial offsets to the thriving corporate and capex sector.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
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When the probes combine multiple views or colors to create a single image, tiny color offsets — caused by seconds-long delays between camera channels — sometimes appear, and are normally dismissed as image noise.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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,
6 Nov. 2025
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The defense counters that there was also a flashing light.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Inside, the design balances warmth and innovation.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
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About 5 million people use Propel's app to check their SNAP balances, and get coupons and discounts on groceries.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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 10 Nov. 2025.
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