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
Jeffrey Weng, National Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Add performers like Zach Bryan, Margo Price and Billy Strings to that mix and what was once a divide has developed into a counterbalance.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2024
Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
By increasing the Alawite presence in strategically important areas, Assad aimed to counterbalance the Sunni majority in the city and secure a loyal base close to the political and military center of the country.
—Sefa Secen / Made By History, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterbalance 
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Noun
Building on its decades of strategic preparation, China has begun to wield its advantages over critical materials as a counterbalance against the West.
—Jeffrey Weng, National Review, 20 Dec. 2024
Add performers like Zach Bryan, Margo Price and Billy Strings to that mix and what was once a divide has developed into a counterbalance.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2024
Verb
Attracting new consumers has allowed Lego to drive revenue and helped to counterbalance softness in the theatrical realm.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
By increasing the Alawite presence in strategically important areas, Assad aimed to counterbalance the Sunni majority in the city and secure a loyal base close to the political and military center of the country.
—Sefa Secen / Made By History, TIME, 17 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 31 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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