1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
a musical piece with a counterpoise of loud and soft passages
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the happiness brought by a new baby was a timely counterpoise to the grief occasioned by a death in the family
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
her overall healthiness largely counterpoised the virulence of the infection
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Recent Examples of counterpoise
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Noun
Molina, the embodiment of theatrical excellence, is perfectly cast as the rational counterpoise to Brady’s zealotry.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Verb
Indeed, the Western, that peculiarly American contribution to the world’s store of epic and saga, often depends on the tale of a defeated Confederate at large to enforce virtue, someone whose heroic individualism is counterpoised with the superficial discipline of the federal troops.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoise
Noun
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While unlawful crossings remain low, some U.S. officials are concerned the presidential election could disturb the fragile equilibrium achieved at the southern border in recent months.Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
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There is no chemistry there of any sort that is really out of equilibrium with the environment, Mojzsis, a professor at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, told me.Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Trump has some offsets to Harris' gain among Hispanic people.Gary Langer, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2024
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Another assessment is that companies may rely on carbon offsets to achieve net zero rather than making significant reductions in their actual emissions.Maeve Campbell, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Palace staffers also can contact rota reporters to get simple errors or false reports corrected.Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
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As with any system upgrade, problems with the data were discovered that had to be corrected before early voting began on Oct. 16.ProPublica, ProPublica, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Fluoride counters that process with a one-two punch, by reducing acid and strengthening enamel, the tooth’s protective outer layer.Erika Edwards, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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The grippy non-slip silicone also makes these ideal for rolling out dough while keeping your counters clean.Maggie Horton, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Ukraine has had success in neutralizing Russia's newer S-400 systems and now—with the Israeli attack—the Russian hardware has suffered a greater reputational setback.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
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Correa adds that going for a shade with a more peachy or orange undertone than your normal shade will help neutralize the blue and minimize those dark circles.Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The company has convertible notes payable and notes payable in default, with a total balance of $1,041,172 and $1,090,298, respectively.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
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Cocktails are typically about balance: sweet and tart, bitter and sweet, strong and weak.Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
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While on the culinary front, omakase and fusion menus from celebrity chefs like Masa Ito, Alan Yau, and Evan Funke are a bold, global counterweight to the more traditional, red velvet steakhouse experiences offered at Don’s Prime and Papi Steak.Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
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The long tail is raised as a counterweight when the robot is making its way across the ground, but tilts down to provide leverage once the bot stops to start digging.New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near counterpoise
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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