counterpressure

noun

coun·​ter·​pres·​sure ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpre-shər 

variants or counter-pressure

plural counterpressures or counter-pressures

1

: weight or force in a contrary or reverse direction

… allow the user to change the firmness of the mattress by adjusting the flow of air, providing a counterpressure to body weight.

—Moshe Lewis

counterpressure applied to the lower back during labor for pain relief

2

: conflicting or opposing pressure (such as political or social pressure)

But some of them might actually need some counterpressure before they can effectively stand up to the illiberal forces growing stronger on so many campuses.

—Jonathan Haidt

… the internal pressures and counterpressures influencing the Arab world …

—Laura Secor

Examples of counterpressure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Elastic undergirding, Spanx-style, provides about two-thirds of the necessary counterpressure to keep someone alive in a vacuum. —Sarah Scoles, Discover Magazine, 24 Sep. 2014

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 2