1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
a musical piece with a counterpoise of loud and soft passages
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the happiness brought by a new baby was a timely counterpoise to the grief occasioned by a death in the family
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
her overall healthiness largely counterpoised the virulence of the infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterpoise
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Noun
Molina, the embodiment of theatrical excellence, is perfectly cast as the rational counterpoise to Brady’s zealotry.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Verb
Indeed, the Western, that peculiarly American contribution to the world’s store of epic and saga, often depends on the tale of a defeated Confederate at large to enforce virtue, someone whose heroic individualism is counterpoised with the superficial discipline of the federal troops.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoise
Noun
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Our task today is to preserve whatever equilibrium is left and restore what has been destroyed.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
To achieve a happy equilibrium, collaboration is required — as Newcastle fans will be painstakingly reminded over the coming months.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Individuals employed by the government in jobs which were not covered by Social Security previously could not collect Social Security upon retirement because of the offset of their public pension against Social Security to prevent a windfall.—
Wendy Hickey,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2025
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That process may be referred to as offsetting the payment, administrative offset, or offset.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This story has been corrected to show the name of the residents' group is Eaton Fire Residents United, not Eaton Fire Residents Unite.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Both things were handled during and throughout the boot camp, and Ray was correcting us.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And the long stainless steel counter can double as a wipe-clean work bench for wrenching on bike components.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Apr. 2025
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These counter measures were imposed on the U.S. by Canada, Cuba, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland.—
Mike Patton,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These ants, known for their ability to detonate their own bodies, release a toxic secretion to neutralize the threat of invading predators.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The agency said the test demonstrated the reconnaissance drone's ability to track multiple targets and monitor troop movements on land and at sea, potentially enhancing North Korea's intelligence-gathering operations and ability to neutralize enemy threats.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The white flowers also provide a balance to the golden design.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Interest begins accruing the day after the tax deadline on any unpaid balance.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Even then, the probability of being a counterweight to Google is small.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
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The slate of divisive Trump loyalists could reshape the country’s image of state executives, who have had some of the most positive approval ratings of any politicians in the country and generally have been seen as sober counterweights to whichever administration is in power.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
26 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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