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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 counterpoise
David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
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
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
That’s more than just a defeat; that is institutional counterpoise against the attempt by the president to corrupt institutions.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
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
-
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
That equilibrium was sustained not by the courts or the Voting Rights Act but by behavior.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
During Disney’s most recent quarterly report in early May, the company’s entertainment segment reported that streaming revenue offset declines in both linear affiliate fees and advertising.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
-
Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream over the entire cake to seal in crumbs, using an offset spatula to smooth it evenly.—
Kate Bradshaw,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Francisco corrects Arnold's Spanish and has conversations with him through his computer speakers.—
Stephan Bisaha,
NPR,
4 June 2026
-
But her cool daughter DEI (Sydney Park), who uses they/them pronouns, is always ready to correct her.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The rooms Suite living is the story here, with spacious layouts, full kitchens, granite counters, gas fireplaces, and balconies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Drip pan Each Nespresso machine has a drip pan for holding beverage containers and guarding against drips on the counter.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The crack did form, leading to a pressure reduction that neutralize the temperature and the chemical.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, Russia fired 198 long-range drones at Ukraine last night, according to Ukraine’s air force, with air defenses neutralizing 189.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The service The service strikes an ideal balance between polished and personal, all without being overly stuffy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Rocco’s of Roc Beach claimed the crown in the Queens Best Pizza Competition, thanks to its coal brick oven, which lends each slice the perfect balance of crisp and smoky.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
This setup needed a special handling system and a custom counterweight to keep the rotor steady as it was lifted to its final height.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
-
For decades, Hezbollah’s arsenal had been tolerated, even tacitly condoned—shielded by the group’s political power and by its status among supporters as a counterweight to Israel.—
Euan Ward,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Paint can also be a powerful corrective.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
-
These are all refreshing correctives to the texts that previously stood in for contemporary Japan internationally, including any number of small volumes about magical cafés, bookshops, or libraries, often with cats on their covers.—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
