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
In December, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland — motivated by the territory’s strategic position along the Red Sea as a potential counterweight to Iran and the Houthis, and framed by Netanyahu as being in the spirit of the Abraham Accords.
—
Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Xi’s unwillingness or inability to intervene in events so far from home seems to be harming China’s reputation as a geopolitical counterweight to the United States.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Xi’s unwillingness or inability to intervene in events so far from home seems to be harming China’s reputation as a geopolitical counterweight to the United States.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterweight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterweight
Noun
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Through an algebraic analysis of the robots’ parameters, such as the lengths of their links and the offsets of their joints, the team mapped out exactly where the singularities lie within their joint space.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
26 Apr. 2026
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In these window boxes, the bluish hue of dichondra 'Silver Falls' offsets pink begonias and Madagascar periwinkle.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ethics watchdogs have flagged concerns that these donations could buy favorable regulatory treatment from the federal government, while the White House counters that critics would complain if the project were funded by taxpayers.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Running seconds appear in the subdial at 7 o’clock, while the subdial at 4 o’clock features a 30-minute counter.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the same time, balance ambition with perspective.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Interiors by Studio Architetto Mar, balance historic character with refined updates, highlighted by two reception rooms, a formal dining room, and a spacious chef’s kitchen dressed in decorative wallpaper.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Analysis of the Charter The Adelphi Charter offers specific policy proposals across the IP spectrum and develops a counterbalance to TRIPS and TRIPS-Plus agreements to be used as guidelines for future IP reform.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
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This configuration purportedly allows the outer MLE to act as a counterbalance, helping prevent excessive tilt, while the inner MLE avoids contact with the road.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Paint can also be a powerful corrective.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
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These are all refreshing correctives to the texts that previously stood in for contemporary Japan internationally, including any number of small volumes about magical cafés, bookshops, or libraries, often with cats on their covers.—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterweight. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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