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
That implies that just as federalism guards against the tyranny made possible through overt centralization, federalism also has counterweights to prevent individual state governments from wrecking the whole.
—
Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
In 1846, scientists had observed irregularities in Uranus’ orbit, as if an invisible counterweight were tugging on the planet from the far side.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Even as the grouping attracts growing interest as a political and economic counterweight to the West, tensions are simmering over its direction and influence.
—Henry Meyer, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024
The Soviet Union, for decades the great counterweight to the West, seemed like an immovable force.
—Martin Gutmann, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
In 1846, scientists had observed irregularities in Uranus’ orbit, as if an invisible counterweight were tugging on the planet from the far side.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Even as the grouping attracts growing interest as a political and economic counterweight to the West, tensions are simmering over its direction and influence.
—Henry Meyer, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024
The Soviet Union, for decades the great counterweight to the West, seemed like an immovable force.
—Martin Gutmann, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
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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
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That process may be referred to as offsetting the payment, administrative offset, or offset.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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When Garza went inside the store and took at least one lighter from the counter, the clerk came outside armed with a handgun to confront Garza, who crouched by the puddle of kerosene and either threatened to light it or attempted to light it, Hodges said.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
22 Apr. 2025
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Pharmacy counters will be closed at Rite Aid on Easter but the retail portion of their stores will be open regular hours, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The soon-to-be 23-year-old displayed impressive contact balance and routinely churned out additional yards after being hit, but his workload in college (879 carries in five years) raises questions about his long-term outlook in the NFL. 191.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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On balance this leads to a more stable, efficient, cheaper, and cleaner power grid.—
Umair Irfan,
Wired News,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Four key areas of action are high priorities: First, promote U.S. competitiveness interests globally and counterbalance China’s geostrategy.—
Deborah Wince-Smith,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Trump’s accession to the White House has removed this counterbalance.—
Amos Harel,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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