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
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Recent Examples of counterweight
The scientists intended their distribution of the article implicitly as a counterweight to a keynote talk by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, who was going to speak without taking questions but who bailed out at the last minute.
—
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Nuno Mendes — Portugal/PSG The world’s best left-back is the perfect counterweight to Hakimi for PSG, and his lightning surges forward should provide a dangerous outlet for Portugal’s talented midfielders, as well as a valuable line of supply to Cristiano Ronaldo.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Housing and vehicles are a counterweight Cars parked in front of homes in Daly City, California, May 19, 2026.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Nuno Mendes — Portugal/PSG The world’s best left-back is the perfect counterweight to Hakimi for PSG, and his lightning surges forward should provide a dangerous outlet for Portugal’s talented midfielders, as well as a valuable line of supply to Cristiano Ronaldo.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Housing and vehicles are a counterweight Cars parked in front of homes in Daly City, California, May 19, 2026.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
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This automatically measures the distance between the edges of the folding panels, uses sensors to detect offsets and recalibrates the brightness of adjacent LEDs to hide the tiny slot.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
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The traditional approach to ESG reporting tended to involve buying carbon offsets in bulk, taking a supplier's ethical sourcing spreadsheet at face value, or reviewing documentation months after the activity in question had already happened.—
Sean Stein Smith,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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The two sisters entered the restaurant, ran behind the counter and attacked the 23-year-old employee after they were given a wrong order, prosecutors said, according to the outlet.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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Cole is taken to that side of the room by the gurney and behind a long counter near what appears to be a medical supply cart.—
Penny Weaver,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Investigators are also looking at factors such as weight and balance, fuel, maintenance history and overall airworthiness as part of the probe, Graham said.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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At the same time, Kamoutsas said the amendment balances giving children a rigorous classroom instruction with giving parents the option to expose their children to religious instruction.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Matthew was the perfect counterbalance.—
Simon Bland,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
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When volatility keeps showing up uninvited, getting paid to set your own entry on a low volatility play can serve as a nice counterbalance to slow the swings in our portfolios.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Paint can also be a powerful corrective.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
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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
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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