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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterbalance
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 28 June 2024
First, is the effect to help control blood pressure by serving as a counterbalance to calcium in the bloodstream.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 5 Dec. 2024
Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2024
There is another sign that Iran may be upping the ante to counterbalance its new vulnerabilities.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterbalance 
Noun
This would seem like an interesting and even obvious counterbalance to everything happening inside The Bear.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 28 June 2024
First, is the effect to help control blood pressure by serving as a counterbalance to calcium in the bloodstream.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
Instead, American officials have reached out to India as a partner and encouraged its rise, hoping New Delhi will amass enough power to counterbalance Beijing.
—Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2024
There is another sign that Iran may be upping the ante to counterbalance its new vulnerabilities.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterbalance
Noun
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This law abolished the windfall elimination provision and government pension offset, which decreased payments for millions of Americans who worked in public service jobs like teachers, police officers and firefighters.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
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Everyone is talking about sustainability these days, from hotel chains eager to tout their eco-friendly practices to airlines promoting carbon offsets.Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Iran's recent nuclear advances give President-elect Trump a crucial decision to make in his first months in office: Try to neutralize the threat through negotiations and pressure, or order a military strike.Barak Ravid, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025
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Researchers suggest that this type of water can help neutralize the adverse effects of acidic diets and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The personalized skin analysis takes five minutes at any beauty counter.Sharon Edelson, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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The restaurant, Pages, was sort of an upscale diner, with a long counter, a pie case and booths along a picture window at the front.Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, in a misguided attempt to correct his own errors, the real Sa-eon’s father and Kyu-jin’s husband, Paik Ui-yong (Yoo Sung-joo) forces Do-ki at gunpoint to let Sa-eon out.Kayti Burt, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
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Errors are corrected during the press run whenever possible, so some errors noted here may not have appeared in all editions.New York Times, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The blend of fleece and shearling creates the perfect balance of warmth and insulation without the bulk.Erica Paige, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, borrowers have an average loan balance of 17 percent less than a decade ago at $27,100.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The alliance, conceived as a counterweight to the Group of Seven, has seen steady growth.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, India is balancing its traditional solidarity with postcolonial countries against its desire to become a major military player loosely in the U.S. camp—a shift that has elevated its global standing as a counterweight to China.Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near counterbalance
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterbalance. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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