coun·ter·bal·ance
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-lən(t)s 
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-
1
: a weight that balances another
2
: a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing force
coun·ter·bal·ance
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-lən(t)s
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-
counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances
1
: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
2
: to equip with counterbalances
Examples of counterbalance in a Sentence
Noun
charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season
Verb
The author's wry humor counterbalances the book's serious subject matter.
a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch
Recent Examples on the Web
Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Front offices then frequently push for seasoned defensive coordinators as a counterbalance.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
But those potential counterbalancing forces will have to fight for such an alternative—and take advantage of the obstacles that a more globalized world poses to great powers’ wish to carve it into pieces.
—Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
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Noun
Nevertheless, the impressive performance of Eliquis, which generated over $13 billion in sales last year, serves as a counterbalance.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Front offices then frequently push for seasoned defensive coordinators as a counterbalance.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
Carney is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, likely discussing strategies to counterbalance U.S. tariffs.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
But those potential counterbalancing forces will have to fight for such an alternative—and take advantage of the obstacles that a more globalized world poses to great powers’ wish to carve it into pieces.
—Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterbalance. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counterbalance
1 of 2 noun
coun·ter·bal·ance
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌbal-ən(t)s
ˌkau̇nt-ər-ˈbal-
1
: a weight that balances another
2
: a force or influence that checks an opposing force
counterbalance
2 of 2 verb
: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
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