as in counter
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the belief that higher interest rates are an effective counterforce to inflationary pressures
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterforce
The idea is for two pylons to be attached to a special structure on the tower with cables that are expected to exert a counterforce should the tower start tipping more dangerously.
—
Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
In many ways, the logic of a counterforce strategy parallels the logic of traditional military strategy.
—Charles L. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
In many ways, the logic of a counterforce strategy parallels the logic of traditional military strategy.
—Charles L. Glaser, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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Democrats can't seem to agree on how to combat the president or come up with a clear counter message to combat the MAGA populism dominating Washington.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
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Hand-cleaning edges under counters and by baseboards in bathrooms is a good idea, too.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Federal debts that might trigger offsets include federal income tax delinquencies, student loan defaults, and SSA overpayments.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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If increasing tariffs reduces the trade deficit, that would be a potential offset to the negative GDP consequences of cutting government spending.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Red carpet correspondent Zainab Jiwa has struck the perfect balance between fandom and high fashion at some of the biggest TV and film premieres.—
Athena Sobhan,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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The development process took nearly a year and a half, reflecting the meticulous approach taken to ensure a balance between authenticity and broad appeal.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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