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
The worst-case scenario would be the path the United States is on, driven by powerful forces and unchecked by any realistic counterforce.
—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
And where there’s no constitutional counterforce, as with the pardon power, there’s just a rampage of corruption.
—
Ross Douthat,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
The only country that currently has enough nuclear weapons to conceivably launch a counterforce strike against the United States is Russia, so USA TODAY based its weapons analysis on Moscow’s nuclear arsenal.
—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
6 Jan. 2026
In view of these drawbacks, a better approach would be to adapt the current counterforce strategy for the new era.
—
Vipin Narang,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
And where there’s no constitutional counterforce, as with the pardon power, there’s just a rampage of corruption.
—
Ross Douthat,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
The only country that currently has enough nuclear weapons to conceivably launch a counterforce strike against the United States is Russia, so USA TODAY based its weapons analysis on Moscow’s nuclear arsenal.
—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
6 Jan. 2026
In view of these drawbacks, a better approach would be to adapt the current counterforce strategy for the new era.
—
Vipin Narang,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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The family opted instead for a grill and small fridge, with a wood counter built around it to give a cohesive look.
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Line dance at lunch The line inside Boss Hog on Tuesday stretched from the ordering counter to the entrance, which isn’t saying much since, according to Catawba County property records, the entire building is about 1,200 square feet.
Noun
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Micron fees ‘offset’ planning costs Micron announced its Boise investment in September 2022, just as the city was wrapping up its fiscal year.
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Unlike private debts, these types of federal debts can sometimes result in benefit offsets or other collection actions.
Noun
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The shape of the heel with a wider base provides more support, providing significantly more stability, balance, and weight distribution than traditional slim or stiletto heels.
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Globally, the top concern is work-life balance, specifically when job demands consistently exceed the time and energy workers have to meet them.
Noun
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Officials argue that graduate debt accounts for more than one-third of the federal student loan portfolio, making tightening limits a necessary fiscal corrective.
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Paint can also be a powerful corrective.
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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