counterbalance

1 of 2

noun

coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-lən(t)s How to pronounce counterbalance (audio)
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 How to pronounce counterbalance (audio)
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-
counterbalanced; counterbalancing; counterbalances

transitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for counterbalance 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterbalance was circa 1611

Dictionary Entries Near counterbalance

Cite this Entry

“Counterbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterbalance. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

counterbalance

1 of 2 noun
coun·​ter·​bal·​ance ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌbal-ən(t)s How to pronounce counterbalance (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on counterbalance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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