as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterbalance
Kyra Colah, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
Michaels’s businesslike calm was a counterbalance to the whirling egos and animosities that drove his employees.
—Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Thomas Adamson and Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
The old-school formality of the costumes—women in dresses, men with ties—is counterbalanced by the flamboyance of their colors: flaming red, screeching green, lavish blue, acerbic yellow, judgmental white, which inflect the action’s moods and set its tones.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
Washington views India, the world's largest democracy, as a counterbalance to China's growing assertiveness.
—Kyra Colah, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
Michaels’s businesslike calm was a counterbalance to the whirling egos and animosities that drove his employees.
—Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
Analysts see this as an opportunity to counterbalance the dominance of private companies in AI development.
—Thomas Adamson and Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025
The old-school formality of the costumes—women in dresses, men with ties—is counterbalanced by the flamboyance of their colors: flaming red, screeching green, lavish blue, acerbic yellow, judgmental white, which inflect the action’s moods and set its tones.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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The Senate's adoption is an early step in the process, which requires detailed work by committees to work out the details of spending, as well as of any offsets to help pay for the additional funds.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2025
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The latest: Although the scope of the offsets is not entirely clear, lobbyists and aides don't expect using major — or possibly any — health policy changes as payfors.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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And with Solis and Briana Webb — who led Piedmont with 19 points — attacking them inside and getting them in foul trouble, the Highlanders neutralized Tech’s size advantage.—
Devin Bradshaw,
The Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2025
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But the United States will thrive only if Washington recognizes the danger of so many intersecting national fault lines and neutralizes these risks through patient and open-ended diplomacy.—
Michael Kimmage,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Various pills were scattered on a counter, and a space heater was on the floor next to her, according to a search warrant affidavit.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Arakawa’s body was found on the bathroom floor, beside a counter with pills scattered about, while the 95-year-old Hackman was found collapsed on the floor of another room in the house.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Cappa's release didn't take long to correct, as he was signed by the Raiders on a new two-year, $11 million deal.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The audit said the unit also needed to more in helping to correct the behavior that led to those citations for the benefit of animals and the community. KC Pet Project won the city contract by promising to provide that better-balanced approach.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Each wine is evaluated through a meticulous collective tasting regimen, assessing its balance, quality, and consistency, and only 22 percent of the wines from the Médoc production area are included.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2025
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That memory still burns, creating just the right balance of fortitude and redemption.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This strategy reinforces the ideals of responsible capitalism and stands as a counterweight to anti-ESG criticism by demonstrating that sustainable practices yield measurable business benefits.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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Optimism despite tariff concerns While economists expect a good share of disinflation from some key categories, President Donald Trump’s tariffs could act as an inflationary counterweight.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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