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View synonyms for countervail

countervail

[ koun-ter-veyl ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to act or avail against with equal power, force, or effect; counteract.

    Synonyms: neutralize, counterpoise, counterbalance

  2. to furnish an equivalent of or a compensation for; offset.
  3. Archaic. to equal.


verb (used without object)

  1. to be of equal force in opposition; avail.

countervail

/ ˌkaʊntəˈveɪl; ˈkaʊntəˌveɪl /

verb

  1. whenintr, usually foll by against to act or act against with equal power or force
  2. tr to make up for; compensate; offset


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Other Words From

  • uncoun·ter·vailed adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of countervail1

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of countervail1

C14: from Old French contrevaloir, from Latin contrā valēre, from contrā against + valēre to be strong

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Example Sentences

At the same time, the very recency of RNA vaccines and the rapidity of their production generated a countervailing doubt manifesting as high levels of anti-vaccination.

Economist John Kenneth Galbraith famously called this “countervailing power.”

But whatever becomes of us, we are sure the adversary cannot countervail the King's damages.

Her object being to countervail the design of her husband, she instantly commences a system of manoeuvring to carry her point.

And to countervail this, it has been laid down by nature, that the men who have something to say don't say it.

The thegn is a twelve hundred man; his wergild and his oath countervail those of six ceorls.

The Author of all things, though besought, did not so co-operate as to countervail the legitimate action of natural powers.

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countertypecountervailing duty