as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterbalance
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
This may be because coffee contains other compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counterbalance caffeine’s downsides over time.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Experts generally anticipate a modest decline in mortgage rates this month, even as market forces counterbalance each other.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Noun
That gives it notes of black pepper and baking spices like cinnamon, creeping into the fruit-forward palate to provide a counterbalance to the whiskey’s inherent sweetness.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026
This may be because coffee contains other compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counterbalance caffeine’s downsides over time.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
That uncertainty and rise in unemployment tends to fuel a near-term dip in demand for goods, which counterbalances the price increases from tariffs.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Experts generally anticipate a modest decline in mortgage rates this month, even as market forces counterbalance each other.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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However, even with increasing emissions, the largest companies should be able to afford enough renewable energy and offsets to meet carbon-neutral goals.—
Tammy Webber,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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However, even with increasing emissions, the largest companies should be able to afford enough renewable energy and offsets to meet carbon-neutral goals.—
Tammy Webber,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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By contrast, a mobile, autonomous interceptor can dynamically pursue and neutralize targets at close range, offering both flexibility and scalability.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
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But Cronin’s essentially saying Michigan is one of the few teams built to neutralize that formula.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Shadow boxes are sometimes displayed on a counter or table due to the challenge of hanging the extra depth on a wall.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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Violations were corrected later, records show.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Today’s Libra full moon helps you to restore balance.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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And while the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved covering the overrun, most of which will come from the county's unrestricted fund balance, frustration is clearly building.—
Ubah Ali,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In December, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland — motivated by the territory’s strategic position along the Red Sea as a potential counterweight to Iran and the Houthis, and framed by Netanyahu as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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Xi’s unwillingness or inability to intervene in events so far from home seems to be harming China’s reputation as a geopolitical counterweight to the United States.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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