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

Walz, 60, is, in many ways, the perfect counterbalance to Harris. —Patricia Lopez, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024

So there's kind of this counterbalance, especially with obviously this Trump assassination attempt that some events are going to be churned and studied and their names are part of the historical record. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 19 July 2024

Verb

Residents hope to earn spots to counterbalance the role that investor owners play in the building's management. —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024

To counterbalance what’s sure to be a pro-Fritz crowd on Sunday, Sinner will look across the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean too. —Sean Gregory, TIME, 7 Sep. 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