counterweight

[koun-ter-weyt]

noun

1. a weight used as a counterbalance.

verb (used with object)

1. to balance or equip with a counterweight.

counterweight

/ ˈkaʊntəˌweɪt /

noun

1. a counterbalancing weight, influence, or force

Other Word Forms

• counterweighted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterweight¹

First recorded in 1685–95; counter- + weight

Example Sentences

Around the same time, Israel empowered Palestinian Islamist groups including Hamas, hoping they would serve as a counterweight to the PLO and leftist, secular Palestinian factions that were prominent at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

These investments will also help act as a powerful counterweight to the exodus of investment seen in the pharmaceutical sector.

From BBC

In short: in the geopolitical universe different powers are aligning as a counterweight to American domination.

From BBC

Iran's clerical leader set up the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps 40 years ago to defend the country's Islamic system and to provide a counterweight to the regular armed forces, which they did not trust.

From BBC

It was a stance that the Rev. Munther Isaac, a Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, saw as a counterweight to the muscular brand of conservative Christianity increasingly dominating U.S. discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• equilibrium