counterweight

American  

[koun-ter-weyt] / ˈkaʊn tərˌweɪt /

noun

1. a weight used as a counterbalance.

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verb (used with object)

1. to balance or equip with a counterweight.

counterweight British  

/ ˈkaʊntəˌweɪt /

noun

1. a counterbalancing weight, influence, or force

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• counterweighted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of counterweight

First recorded in 1685–95; counter- + weight

Example Sentences

“Warsh’s confidence that the balance sheet can be shrunk or shifted to short-term assets as a counterweight to policy rate cuts may be misplaced,” he said.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

“What we don’t know is how much of this preference is meant as a counterweight to incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s presumed dovish bias,” LeBas said.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

With the domestic economy still grinding through weak consumption and industrial overcapacity, Xi can present a smoother U.S. relationship as a counterweight to the discontent simmering in property, employment and local finance.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

As a historical counterweight, consider Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine, who refused to patent it.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

But this was the counterweight, the act of binding and holding.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Related Words

• equilibrium