as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
hard work can often be a counterweight to modest intelligence
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Recent Examples of counterweight
Intended as a counterweight to NATO, the organization is based on a principle that an attack against one member should be perceived as an attack against all.
—
Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
However, with a divided Congress and the prospect of a second Trump presidency, Biden’s picks could serve as a critical counterweight to policies that might target civil rights and marginalized communities.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
His hawkish approach to national defense could be an important counterweight to Vice President-elect Vance's isolationist tendencies.
—Stef W. Kight, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024
The name for the group of leading emerging economies comes from its original member nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — and its mission is to act as a counterweight to the West and Western institutions like the G7.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
However, with a divided Congress and the prospect of a second Trump presidency, Biden’s picks could serve as a critical counterweight to policies that might target civil rights and marginalized communities.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
His hawkish approach to national defense could be an important counterweight to Vice President-elect Vance's isolationist tendencies.
—Stef W. Kight, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024
The name for the group of leading emerging economies comes from its original member nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — and its mission is to act as a counterweight to the West and Western institutions like the G7.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
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The Senate's adoption is an early step in the process, which requires detailed work by committees to work out the details of spending, as well as of any offsets to help pay for the additional funds.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2025
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The latest: Although the scope of the offsets is not entirely clear, lobbyists and aides don't expect using major — or possibly any — health policy changes as payfors.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Nets’ offense continued to cool down early in the fourth quarter, turnovers began to pile up, and Philadelphia finally found its counter punch.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2025
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Although Perron in Stl or our own JVR in Philly would be a good counter arguments.—
Aaron Portzline,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Presented to the public in two segments, Lightfoot’s report showed the village went from having healthy budget balances to a multimillion-dollar deficit since Henyard was elected mayor.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
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So far, Gen Z has sparked major change in companies, pushing for greater work life balance and hiring salaries despite some hiring managers' dissatisfaction.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Weeknd’s maze at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights has an unsettling cocaine-freak-out energy that is a welcome counterbalance to mazes’ sepia tones and textbook monsters.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2024
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All the while, however, Beijing and Moscow have pursued inroads into the Western Hemisphere, with China establishing unprecedented levels of diplomatic and economic engagement and Russia seeking to revive and revamp Cold War-era partnerships as a counterbalance to NATO expansion in Europe.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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