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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Recent Examples of counterforce
Corporate volunteering may offer a counterforce to the disillusionment, anxiety, loneliness, and apathy that define much of modern life.
—
Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Or maybe fast-food chains did streamline their business processes with the help of new technologies, but at the same time, maybe there were productivity-sucking counterforces.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
History shows that autocratic states like Russia are only deterred by a strong counterforce from a rival that balances it and threatens its survival.
—William Walldorf, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Achieving peace in Gaza will therefore require a counterforce to Israel’s domestic political pressures.
—Eric Levitz, Vox, 3 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Or maybe fast-food chains did streamline their business processes with the help of new technologies, but at the same time, maybe there were productivity-sucking counterforces.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
History shows that autocratic states like Russia are only deterred by a strong counterforce from a rival that balances it and threatens its survival.
—William Walldorf, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Achieving peace in Gaza will therefore require a counterforce to Israel’s domestic political pressures.
—Eric Levitz, Vox, 3 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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Its reduced weight and compact architecture are intended to support rapid relocation after firing, allowing the launcher to limit exposure to counter-battery fire.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, Mbappe grabbed his 38th goal of the season in all competitions from a 91st-minute counter-attack to seal the points.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Four offset barrel smokers — plus two rotisserie smokers and two hog cookers — fill the massive pit room.—
Aviva Bechky,
Houston Chronicle,
6 Feb. 2026
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The social media giant's guidance offset worries about its sky-high spending on artificial intelligence.—
,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For residents like Christina Doyle, the goal isn’t to shut visitors out altogether, but to find a balance between access and preservation.—
Trista Kurniawan,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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The event will, in particular, monitor several metrics, including motion control, dynamic balance, and impact resistance.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Young Hoteliers Academy positions itself as a corrective.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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His most ambitious series to date, Pluribus can be seen as a corrective of sorts—a grand, artful, mind-bendingly philosophical, darkly funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but consistently humane vindication of our fractious species.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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