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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
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
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
See All Example Sentences for counterforce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterforce
Noun
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Given City’s soft centre has come from a failure to cope with counter-attacks and a lack of pace to defend in a high line, Khusanov may just be the blunt force antidote Guardiola needs.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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An available 138-L compressor drawer fridge with 12-L freezer takes up the bulk of the under-counter foundation, providing loads of space for perishables.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Thanks to such voodoo carbon accounting, sellers of forest carbon offsets elsewhere are having to refund buyers due to unmet growth projections.—
John P. O’Brien,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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Simply pinch off any offset or irregular branches with your fingers or garden snips so that the plant has a more rounded appearance.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Nonetheless, with policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance.—
Adeola Adeosun
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The result is a fragrance that strikes the right balance between clean and confectionery, with a softness that’s like being wrapped in a cashmere blanket.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.—
Bruno V. Manno,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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That makes Leo’s ascension well timed to offer a corrective.—
Mike Burbach,
Twin Cities,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterforce. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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