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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
And the long stainless steel counter can double as a wipe-clean work bench for wrenching on bike components.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Apr. 2025
-
These counter measures were imposed on the U.S. by Canada, Cuba, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland.—
Mike Patton,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Individuals employed by the government in jobs which were not covered by Social Security previously could not collect Social Security upon retirement because of the offset of their public pension against Social Security to prevent a windfall.—
Wendy Hickey,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2025
-
That process may be referred to as offsetting the payment, administrative offset, or offset.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The white flowers also provide a balance to the golden design.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Interest begins accruing the day after the tax deadline on any unpaid balance.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share