counterbalance

1 of 2

noun

coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-lən(t)s 

ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-

1

: a weight that balances another

2

: a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing force

counterbalance

2 of 2

verb

coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-lən(t)s 

ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-

counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances

transitive verb

1

: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force

2

: to equip with counterbalances

Synonyms

Noun

• balance
• canceler
• canceller
• corrective
• counter
• counteraction
• counterforce
• counterpoise
• counterweight
• equipoise
• neutralizer
• offset

Verb

• annul
• cancel (out)
• compensate (for)
• correct
• counteract
• counterpoise
• make up (for)
• negative
• neutralize
• offset

Examples of counterbalance in a Sentence

Noun

charitable giving is usually a good counterbalance to the self-indulgent commercialism of the Christmas season

Verb

The author's wry humor counterbalances the book's serious subject matter.

a hearty dinner might counterbalance missing lunch

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Singles' Day China Conceived at China's Nanjing University back in 1993 and originally called ‘Bachelor's Day’ as a holiday to celebrate being single, as a counterbalance to Valentine's Day, the event has grown into an online shopping festival that peaks on Nov. 11. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

The accusations have tested Washington and Ottawa's relations with India, often viewed by the West as a counterbalance to China. —Fox News, 30 Oct. 2024

Verb

Now, grid planners can build a comprehensive strategy that includes alternative solutions like renewable energy generation to counterbalance a data center's demand growth. —Abhay Gupta, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Wells Fargo predicts that Boeing will have to sell between $10 and $15 billion in new stock to counterbalance the severe losses from 33,000 workers being on strike for weeks. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

counterbalance

1 of 2 noun

coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌbal-ən(t)s 

ˌkau̇nt-ər-ˈbal-

1

: a weight that balances another

2

: a force or influence that checks an opposing force

counterbalance

2 of 2 verb

: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force