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

Relevance

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 counterweight 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 Rate cut expectations are rising, a useful counterweight to a slower economy. Andrea Riquier, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 And that circles us back to the Denmark-buys-California proposition, the comic counterweight to Donald Trump’s. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
  • Federal debts that might trigger offsets include federal income tax delinquencies, student loan defaults, and SSA overpayments.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • If increasing tariffs reduces the trade deficit, that would be a potential offset to the negative GDP consequences of cutting government spending.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • There’s also a 15-seat chef’s counter that offers its own version of traditional omakase (meaning the menu is chef’s choice).
    Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But while rebates may help PBMs, health plans and employers financially, they are not directly passed through to patients at the pharmacy counter.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Balancing Acts: Motherhood, Leadership and Finding Joy When asked about creating balance in her demanding role, Hopkin is refreshingly candid.
    Melissa Noel, Essence, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Red carpet correspondent Zainab Jiwa has struck the perfect balance between fandom and high fashion at some of the biggest TV and film premieres.
    Athena Sobhan, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on counterweight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!