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
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
Go in knowing what feels conversationally off-limits to you, and work on cultivating other friendships that align with your values as a counterbalance.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025
Amir Daftari
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
But downtown residences have yet to counterbalance for the loss of office workers.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterbalance
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Noun
The higher fat content is a nice counterbalance to the richness of the tea and spices, but also lends the drink a better, less watery consistency.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
Go in knowing what feels conversationally off-limits to you, and work on cultivating other friendships that align with your values as a counterbalance.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
Many nations—particularly in Asia and Oceania—are turning to Western suppliers instead, with India, Japan, Australia, and South Korea leaning heavily on U.S. sources to counterbalance Beijing's military rise.
—Amir Daftari
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
But downtown residences have yet to counterbalance for the loss of office workers.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 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 19 Jun. 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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