Dictionary.com

countervail

[ koun-ter-veyl ]
/ ˌkaʊn tərˈveɪl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: countervail / countervailing on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
to act or avail against with equal power, force, or effect; counteract.
to furnish an equivalent of or a compensation for; offset.
Archaic. to equal.
verb (used without object)
to be of equal force in opposition; avail.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of countervail

1350–1400; Middle English contrevailen<Anglo-French countrevail-, tonic stem (subjunctive) of countrevaloir to equal, be comparable to <Latin phrase contrā valēre to be of worth against (someone or something). See counter-, -valent

OTHER WORDS FROM countervail

un·coun·ter·vailed, adjective

Words nearby countervail

countertop, countertrade, countertransference, counterturn, countertype, countervail, countervailing duty, counterview, counterweigh, counterweight, counterword
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to countervail

balance, counteract, counterbalance, counterpoise, invalidate, neutralize, nullify, undo, compensate for, make up for

How to use countervail in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for countervail

countervail
/ (ˌkaʊntəˈveɪl, ˈkaʊntəˌveɪl) /
verb
(when intr, usually foll by against) to act or act against with equal power or force
(tr) to make up for; compensate; offset

Word Origin for countervail

C14: from Old French contrevaloir, from Latin contrā valēre, from contrā against + valēre to be strong
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK