COUNTERBALANCE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does counterbalance mean? 

• COUNTERBALANCE (noun)
  The noun COUNTERBALANCE has 3 senses:

1. a weight that balances another weight

2. equality of distribution

3. a compensating equivalent

  Familiarity information: COUNTERBALANCE used as a noun is uncommon.

• COUNTERBALANCE (verb)
  The verb COUNTERBALANCE has 3 senses:

1. adjust for

2. contrast with equal weight or force

3. oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions

  Familiarity information: COUNTERBALANCE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COUNTERBALANCE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A weight that balances another weight

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

balance; counterbalance; counterpoise; counterweight; equaliser; equalizer

Hypernyms ("counterbalance" is a kind of...):

weight (an artifact that is heavy)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "counterbalance"):

sash weight (a counterweight for a sliding sash)

tare ((chemical analysis) a counterweight used in chemical analysis; consists of an empty container that counterbalances the weight of the container holding chemicals)

Derivation:

counterbalance (contrast with equal weight or force)

counterbalance (adjust for)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Equality of distribution

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Synonyms:

balance; counterbalance; equilibrium; equipoise

Hypernyms ("counterbalance" is a kind of...):

construction; structure (a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "counterbalance"):

conformation (a symmetrical arrangement of the parts of a thing)

proportion; symmetry (balance among the parts of something)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A compensating equivalent

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Synonyms:

counterbalance; offset

Hypernyms ("counterbalance" is a kind of...):

compensation (something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury))

Derivation:

counterbalance (oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions)

counterbalance (adjust for)

• COUNTERBALANCE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they counterbalance    ... he / she / it counterbalances   
Past simple: counterbalanced   
Past participle: counterbalanced   
-ing form: counterbalancing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Adjust for

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

compensate; correct; counterbalance; even off; even out; even up; make up

Context example:

engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance

Hypernyms (to "counterbalance" is one way to...):

balance; equilibrate; equilibrise; equilibrize (bring into balance or equilibrium)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "counterbalance"):

carry (compensate for a weaker partner or member by one's own performance)

compensate; cover; overcompensate (make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

counterbalance (a weight that balances another weight)

counterbalance (a compensating equivalent)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Contrast with equal weight or force

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

counterbalance; oppose

Hypernyms (to "counterbalance" is one way to...):

contrast; counterpoint (to show differences when compared; be different)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "counterbalance"):

counterpoise; counterpose; counterweight (constitute a counterweight or counterbalance to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

counterbalance (a weight that balances another weight)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

counteract; counterbalance; countervail; neutralize

Context example:

This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues

Hypernyms (to "counterbalance" is one way to...):

cancel; offset; set off (make up for)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "counterbalance"):

override (counteract the normal operation of (an automatic gear shift in a vehicle))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

counterbalance (a compensating equivalent)

 Context examples 

To counterbalance the repressive nature of chromatin, a variety of chromatin remodeling factors use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to facilitate the interaction of proteins with nucleosomal DNA.

(hSWI-SNF Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

It was the choicest gift of Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which, by a merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost every other want.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

To have her acquaintance with the Tilneys end so soon was an evil which nothing could counterbalance.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Nrf2 activation of genes is opposed by small maf proteins, including MafG and MafK, maintaining a counterbalance to Nrf2 and balancing the oxidation level of the intracellular environment.

(Oxidative Stress Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

And then, after all, I go too fast in my conclusions: for what I yet know, you may be no better than the rest; you may have intolerable defects to counterbalance your few good points.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He was beyond comparison the most pleasant man; he certainly admired her, and his situation in life was most eligible; but, to counterbalance these advantages, Mr. Darcy had considerable patronage in the church, and his cousin could have none at all.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)