coun·ter·bal·ance
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-lən(t)s 
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-
1
: a weight that balances another
2
: a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing force
coun·ter·bal·ance
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-lən(t)s
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-
counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances
1
: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
2
: to equip with counterbalances
Synonyms
Examples of counterbalance in a Sentence
Noun
charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season
Verb
The author's wry humor counterbalances the book's serious subject matter.
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Recent Examples on the Web
Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 5 Dec. 2024
Singles' Day China Conceived at China's Nanjing University back in 1993 and originally called ‘Bachelor's Day’ as a holiday to celebrate being single, as a counterbalance to Valentine's Day, the event has grown into an online shopping festival that peaks on Nov. 11.
—Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Their financial outlay, amounting to hundreds of millions, is intended to counterbalance the impact on the prize money available to current teams with an ever-widening grid.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterbalance 
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Noun
First, is the effect to help control blood pressure by serving as a counterbalance to calcium in the bloodstream.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 5 Dec. 2024
Singles' Day China Conceived at China's Nanjing University back in 1993 and originally called ‘Bachelor's Day’ as a holiday to celebrate being single, as a counterbalance to Valentine's Day, the event has grown into an online shopping festival that peaks on Nov. 11.
—Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
There is another sign that Iran may be upping the ante to counterbalance its new vulnerabilities.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Their financial outlay, amounting to hundreds of millions, is intended to counterbalance the impact on the prize money available to current teams with an ever-widening grid.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterbalance
Dictionary Entries Near counterbalance
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterbalance. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counterbalance
1 of 2 noun
coun·ter·bal·ance
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌbal-ən(t)s
ˌkau̇nt-ər-ˈbal-
1
: a weight that balances another
2
: a force or influence that checks an opposing force
counterbalance
2 of 2 verb
: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
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