counterbalance

American  

[koun-ter-bal-uhns, koun-ter-bal-uhns] / ˈkaʊn tərˌbæl əns, ˌkaʊn tərˈbæl əns /

noun

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

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verb (used with or without object)

counterbalanced, counterbalancing

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

   Synonyms:

   balance, rectify, countervail, correct

counterbalance British  

noun

1. a weight or force that balances or offsets another

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verb

1. to act as a counterbalance

Other Word Forms

• uncounterbalanced adjective

Etymology

Origin of counterbalance

First recorded in 1570–80; counter- + balance

Example Sentences

“This factor acts as a counterbalance to geopolitical optimism, limiting the magnitude of upward moves.”

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Over the past year, some stores raised prices, cut costs and canceled plans to counterbalance more expensive imports.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 1, 2026

Mexico has historically had close ties with Cuba as a way to counterbalance U.S. power in the region.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Societies would need to eliminate all emissions they reasonably can, then counterbalance the "residual" emissions that cannot be removed.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2025

As a counterbalance, then, we begin with that everfresh and exciting odium: the author’s formal introduction.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger

Related Words

• counteract
• outweigh
• rectify