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
coun·ter·bal·ance
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-lən(t)s
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-
counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances
1
: to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
2
: to equip with counterbalances
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
Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
When external factors create pressure, internal purpose becomes the counterbalance that keeps people engaged.
—Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Juzel Lloyd, Foreign Affairs, 28 Apr. 2025
The thaw was driven at the time by a desire for Arab unity to counterbalance Iran’s growing influence in Syria and in the wider Middle East.
—Ismaeel Naar, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
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Noun
But there is an important counterbalance to this blanket intolerance.
—Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
When external factors create pressure, internal purpose becomes the counterbalance that keeps people engaged.
—Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
The United States and its allies still have a chance to counterbalance China’s and Russia’s expanding influence over the nuclear energy sector.
—Juzel Lloyd, Foreign Affairs, 28 Apr. 2025
The thaw was driven at the time by a desire for Arab unity to counterbalance Iran’s growing influence in Syria and in the wider Middle East.
—Ismaeel Naar, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
Cite this Entry
“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterbalance. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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