as in counter
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the belief that higher interest rates are an effective counterforce to inflationary pressures
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterforce
Achieving peace in Gaza will therefore require a counterforce to Israel’s domestic political pressures.
—
Eric Levitz, Vox, 3 June 2024
The idea is for two pylons to be attached to a special structure on the tower with cables that are expected to exert a counterforce should the tower start tipping more dangerously.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Eric Levitz, Vox, 3 June 2024
The idea is for two pylons to be attached to a special structure on the tower with cables that are expected to exert a counterforce should the tower start tipping more dangerously.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Lynch’s portrayal of Rita — a fiercely independent woman with a strong sense of her beliefs — is inspired, a quiet, grounding counterforce to Ben-Adir’s moodier depiction.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
First was the possibility that the United States was building new conventional weapons that could be used to attack China’s nuclear forces, a strategy known as conventional counterforce.
—M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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This watch has a brown leather strap with off-white stitching and a striking green matte finish dial, complemented by a seconds’ counter at the 9 o’clock position and a red hand.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Unlike the others, which are built more for smartphones and desktops, Amazon is clearly trying to lock in its place on the kitchen counter with Alexa+.—
Mike Feibus,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Noun
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With a goal of achieving absolute zero emissions in airport operations by 2035 — no offsets, just real reductions — the facility is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in airports, while continuing to explore how to support and accelerate the wider aviation transition.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Assume further that, without the offset, the monthly spousal Social Security benefit would have been $250.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Noun
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After Appeals Court Pauses Ruling While the bolster gives support and balance to the knife, the lightness of the bolster-free Japanese knives offers ergonomic benefits.—
Akiko Katayama,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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That balance of old and young spirits yields a palate that leads with sweet vanilla and cherry notes and ends with baking spice and ripe apple, a must try for Japanese-whisky fans.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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