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
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
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adelman did this as an in-game adjustment to counterbalance Lue’s adjustment from Game 1.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
While there have certainly been low points in The Bear’s run, like season three’s almost unbearably tense vibe and the sudden introduction of John Cena as an ancillary character, they’ve generally been counterbalanced with awe-inspiring highs.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
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Noun
The quiet presence of nature offers a counterbalance to digital intensity.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adelman did this as an in-game adjustment to counterbalance Lue’s adjustment from Game 1.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
New talent: Kartik Research, Sander Lak and Greg Laboratory
Impressions of the week: There’s a lightness and brightness to this season’s offerings that seem to counterbalance a world that increasingly seems in the opposite mood.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
While there have certainly been low points in The Bear’s run, like season three’s almost unbearably tense vibe and the sudden introduction of John Cena as an ancillary character, they’ve generally been counterbalanced with awe-inspiring highs.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterbalance. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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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