counterbalance

C2+ Topic:Mathematics & Measurement

Also spelled counter-balance

US /ˈkaʊntɚˌbæləns/ UK /ˈkaʊntəbæləns/
verb noun

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    to offset by an opposing weight or force

    Tax cuts were meant to counterbalance rising prices.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to offset by an opposing... offsetcounterpoisecounterweightcompensateequalizeneutralize
Opposites
unbalanceupsetdestabilize
Word family
Forms counterpoise
Related forms counterbalancecounterweightcounterpoise

Etymology

From 'counter-' ('against, opposite') plus 'balance'. 'Balance' is from Latin 'bilanx' ('having two scale-pans'), from 'bi-' ('two') plus 'lanx' ('scale, dish').

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Topics

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