counterbalance

[ noun koun-ter-bal-uhns; verb koun-ter-bal-uhns ]

noun

1. a weight balancing another weight; an equal weight, power, or influence acting in opposition; counterpoise.

verb (used with or without object)

, coun·ter·bal·anced, coun·ter·bal·anc·ing.

1. to act against or oppose with an equal weight, force, or influence; offset.

   Synonyms: balance, rectify, countervail, correct

counterbalance

noun

1. a weight or force that balances or offsets another

verb

1. to act as a counterbalance

Other Words From

• uncoun·ter·balanced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterbalance¹

First recorded in 1570–80; counter- + balance

Example Sentences

Though the lamp is tall, it’s designed with a sturdy counterbalance and weighted base to keep it stable as you adjust it.

From Popular-Science

Personnel aboard the space station launched other thrusters as a counterbalance.

From Washington Post

If Checkmate can deliver its promises, including on price, it will perform a valuable counterbalance in the skies above future battlefields.

From Popular-Science

The counterbalance to human society, that doesn’t exist with chimps, is our striving for egalitarianism in the group.

From The Daily Beast

Everywhere, old athletes are thriving and providing a counterbalance to the harsh daily reminders of life’s fragility.

From Washington Post

As an alternative religious player, says Greaves, the Satanic Temple provides yet another “counterbalance.”

From The Daily Beast

The goal: to get them to reconsider Likud as a counterbalance to Bennett's scary religiosity.

From The Daily Beast

Like it or not, some companies will need to function as a counterbalance if publishers are to survive as a species.

From The Daily Beast

So to counterbalance the Court's criticism of our ancestors, let me say a word in their praise: they left us free to change.

From The Daily Beast

This will nicely counterbalance the spectacle of street theater.

From The Daily Beast

Within the National Church there was a great deal to counterbalance these injurious tendencies and check their growth.

From Project Gutenberg

Are not the motives of the incredulous man strong enough to counterbalance his passions?

From Project Gutenberg

The cause has been hindered in its action, or another cause has intervened to counterbalance the first.

From Project Gutenberg

This was a triumph for Mr. Gladstone of an entirely satisfactory character; but he had sore trials to counterbalance it.

From Project Gutenberg

The pommel, usually of steel, is roughly spherical or eight-sided, and serves as a counterbalance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• counteract
• outweigh
• rectify