COUNTERPOISE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

counterpoise 1 of 2

noun

Definition of counterpoise

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

counterpoise

2 of 2

verb

ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpȯiz

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of counterpoise

Noun

That’s more than just a defeat; that is institutional counterpoise against the attempt by the president to corrupt institutions. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026 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

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

Maybe there’s an equilibrium that must be restored on this show, relationship-wise.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Without the United States, the theory goes, the region would settle into its own equilibrium.

— Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of equilibrium

Verb

Persist toward Ithaca, but be prepared to correct your course as the winds and circumstances change.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Every hour spent sorting candidates, interviewing, onboarding, correcting course and starting over is time not spent leading the business.

— Kenzie Biggins, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of correct

Noun

Chef’s counters, bar seating with full menus and single-seat tasting experiences could become more prominent as restaurants explore ways to meet demand for experiential dining.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Baritone Peter Mattei stars as Lincoln, and, in a bit of gender-switching, soprano Christine Goerke is the Reverend and counter-tenor Anthony Roth Costanzo is Miss Elise Traynor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of counter

Verb

The active ingredients neutralize the causes of odor, with full effect within 24 hours.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Nearly four hours were spent neutralized behind the safety car, with 16 cautions that prevented this year’s race from ever really developing a rhythm.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of neutralize

Noun

Courtney is in school to become a nurse practitioner, which added even more pressure to a home-and-work-life balance.

— Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Usher syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes vision loss, hearing loss and balance issues, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of balance

Noun

The shifting investments come as both parties make their final spending decisions in the battle for Senate control, with Democrats pointing to their candidates and the political environment as potential counterweights to Republican money.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
The letter is spearheaded by Guardrails Action, the nonprofit affiliated with Guardrails Alliance, the super PAC launched in June as a counterweight to pro-AI election groups.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of counterweight

Noun

The need for correctives is extensive, and the work is well under way.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, a pastor from Weatherford who voted for the mandate, framed the changes as a corrective.

— Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026

Definition of corrective

Browse Nearby Words

counterpoints

counterpoise

counterpoised

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Counterpoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoise. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of counterpoise

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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