countercyclical

American  

[koun-ter-sahy-kli-kuhl, -sik-li-] / ˌkaʊn tərˈsaɪ klɪ kəl, -ˈsɪk lɪ- /

adjective

1. opposing the trend of a business or economic cycle; countervailing.

   a countercyclical monetary policy.

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Etymology

Origin of countercyclical

counter- + cyclical

Example Sentences

They don’t perform in the same way; gold, for starters, is seen as a countercyclical asset.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

“They have a defensive bias and may work well in a slower economy where there’s more countercyclical forces,” Bartolini says.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

“Companies should prioritize the balance sheet, as even though the buybacks provide a visible return on investment, downturns could cause disruptions and drive potential countercyclical opportunities for future growth,” analysts at RBC Capital Markets said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

“The countercyclical capital buffer should be built up again early on,” Bundesbank Vice President Claudia Buch said in a statement.

From Reuters • Nov. 25, 2021

He had more or less stumbled upon this booming countercyclical industry and profited immensely.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2019