1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
a musical piece with a counterpoise of loud and soft passages
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
the happiness brought by a new baby was a timely counterpoise to the grief occasioned by a death in the family
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to offset
to balance with an equal force so as to make ineffective
her overall healthiness largely counterpoised the virulence of the infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counterpoise
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Noun
Molina, the embodiment of theatrical excellence, is perfectly cast as the rational counterpoise to Brady’s zealotry.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
What’s most remarkable about Torruella’s film is its counterpoise between the sense of raging injustice and the island’s mystic stillness.
—Amada Torruella, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2023
Verb
Indeed, the Western, that peculiarly American contribution to the world’s store of epic and saga, often depends on the tale of a defeated Confederate at large to enforce virtue, someone whose heroic individualism is counterpoised with the superficial discipline of the federal troops.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
Conflicts of interest are objective situations that arise when a person’s financial interests can be counterpoised to their public responsibilities.
—Matthew Yglesias, Vox, 29 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoise
Noun
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Last year’s struggles over speech—among protesters and counter-protesters, scholars and administrators—seemed to show a system falling out of equilibrium.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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Related article What this holiday of sacrifice teaches us about mindfulness Find equilibrium during Ramadan Fasting for Ramadan can be a dance between managing one’s physical health and water intake, and also fulfilling personal religious goals.—
Monica Haider,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Senate's adoption is an early step in the process, which requires detailed work by committees to work out the details of spending, as well as of any offsets to help pay for the additional funds.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2025
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The latest: Although the scope of the offsets is not entirely clear, lobbyists and aides don't expect using major — or possibly any — health policy changes as payfors.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Cappa's release didn't take long to correct, as he was signed by the Raiders on a new two-year, $11 million deal.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The audit said the unit also needed to more in helping to correct the behavior that led to those citations for the benefit of animals and the community. KC Pet Project won the city contract by promising to provide that better-balanced approach.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While Hackman was found in the home's entryway, Arakawa was discovered in the bathroom, where prescription pills were scattered on the counter.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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Arakawa’s body was found on the bathroom floor, beside a counter with pills scattered about, while the 95-year-old Hackman was found collapsed on the floor of another room in the house.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And with Solis and Briana Webb — who led Piedmont with 19 points — attacking them inside and getting them in foul trouble, the Highlanders neutralized Tech’s size advantage.—
Devin Bradshaw,
The Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2025
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But the United States will thrive only if Washington recognizes the danger of so many intersecting national fault lines and neutralizes these risks through patient and open-ended diplomacy.—
Michael Kimmage,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Each wine is evaluated through a meticulous collective tasting regimen, assessing its balance, quality, and consistency, and only 22 percent of the wines from the Médoc production area are included.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2025
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That memory still burns, creating just the right balance of fortitude and redemption.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This strategy reinforces the ideals of responsible capitalism and stands as a counterweight to anti-ESG criticism by demonstrating that sustainable practices yield measurable business benefits.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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Optimism despite tariff concerns While economists expect a good share of disinflation from some key categories, President Donald Trump’s tariffs could act as an inflationary counterweight.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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