as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
hard work can often be a counterweight to modest intelligence
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of counterweight
However, with a divided Congress and the prospect of a second Trump presidency, Biden’s picks could serve as a critical counterweight to policies that might target civil rights and marginalized communities.
—
Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
His hawkish approach to national defense could be an important counterweight to Vice President-elect Vance's isolationist tendencies.
—Stef W. Kight, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024
The name for the group of leading emerging economies comes from its original member nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — and its mission is to act as a counterweight to the West and Western institutions like the G7.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024
The alliance, conceived as a counterweight to the Group of Seven, has seen steady growth.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for counterweight 
Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
His hawkish approach to national defense could be an important counterweight to Vice President-elect Vance's isolationist tendencies.
—Stef W. Kight, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024
The name for the group of leading emerging economies comes from its original member nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — and its mission is to act as a counterweight to the West and Western institutions like the G7.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024
The alliance, conceived as a counterweight to the Group of Seven, has seen steady growth.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
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Also, when airlines offer to sell you carbon offsets, your dollars don’t actually go toward slashing emissions from your flight.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb. 2025
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Social Security benefit offsets could resume as early as August.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This means that extras like roller attachments aren’t always parallel with the counter, causing pasta sheets to roll out unevenly and snag easily.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appétit,
11 Feb. 2025
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Guests would offer up eyewitness stories on Bell’s show about alien counters, past lives, time travel and more X-File-like situations.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While markers of bone growth improved in both groups, only the vest set gained better balance.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
11 Feb. 2025
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But there’s another, more promising option for budget goals: structural balance targets that tie the spending and revenue trends together.—
Kurt Couchman,
National Review,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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All the while, however, Beijing and Moscow have pursued inroads into the Western Hemisphere, with China establishing unprecedented levels of diplomatic and economic engagement and Russia seeking to revive and revamp Cold War-era partnerships as a counterbalance to NATO expansion in Europe.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
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This shift is inspired by a growing desire for homes that feel grounded and connected to nature, a counterbalance to the sterility of minimalist trends.—
Wendy Vazquez,
Southern Living,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near counterweight
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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