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
Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
To be fair to Denver, there are counterbalances, and the Nuggets indeed lead the NBA in their frequency of shots taken at the rim, at 39.4%, with the Phoenix Suns last at 24.9%, and the Sacramento Kings next-lowest at 25.4%, according to Cleaning the Glass.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Megan Zhang, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025
Over time, certain exercises have become popular while their counterbalancing movements have not.
—Wes Judd, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for counterbalance 
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Noun
Michaels’s businesslike calm was a counterbalance to the whirling egos and animosities that drove his employees.
—Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
To be fair to Denver, there are counterbalances, and the Nuggets indeed lead the NBA in their frequency of shots taken at the rim, at 39.4%, with the Phoenix Suns last at 24.9%, and the Sacramento Kings next-lowest at 25.4%, according to Cleaning the Glass.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
Slightly bitter vegetables beautifully counterbalance any heartier dishes that might be on your banquet table.
—Megan Zhang, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025
Over time, certain exercises have become popular while their counterbalancing movements have not.
—Wes Judd, Outside Online, 6 Jan. 2025
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 30 Jan. 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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