Counterbalance: meaning, definitions and examples

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counterbalance

[ˈkaʊntəˌbæləns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

financial term

A counterbalance is an equivalent weight or force that balances or offsets another weight or force.

Synonyms

balance, compensation, offset.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
counterbalance	Used when something is employed to equalize or neutralize the effects of another thing, often in a mechanical or psychological context. The heavy weights serve to counterbalance the elevator's movement His calm demeanor acted as a counterbalance to her anxiety
offset	Used when something counteracts or reduces the effect of another thing, often in technical or environmental contexts. The carbon credits were used to offset the company's emissions The increased revenue helped to offset the rise in costs
balance	Used in general terms to describe the state of being evenly distributed or stable, often in financial, physical, or abstract contexts. She tries to balance her work and personal life The accountant is responsible for maintaining the balance of the company's books
compensation	Used to describe something given to offset loss or damage, usually in financial or legal contexts. The worker received compensation for his injuries The company offers compensation for any delays in delivery

Examples of usage

The company used a counterbalance to stabilize its financial position.
The counterbalance of expenses with revenue is essential for the business to thrive.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

action

To counterbalance means to have an equal and opposite effect on something, balancing or neutralizing it.

Synonyms

compensate, neutralize, offset.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
counterbalance	Utilized when trying to balance out a force or effect with another to achieve equilibrium. The company's losses in Europe could be counterbalanced by gains in Asia The child's limited experience is counterbalanced by extensive theoretical knowledge
compensate	Often used to describe making up for something lost, unwanted, or lacking, frequently in financial or service terms. The company will compensate the workers for the overtime hours He tried to compensate for his lack of skill with extra effort
offset	Generally used when setting one thing against another to reduce or cancel its effect, often in financial or mathematical contexts. The gains in one sector are enough to offset the losses in another They planted trees to offset their carbon emissions
neutralize	Typically applied in scenarios where making something ineffective or harmless is the goal, often in scientific or military contexts. The antidote will neutralize the poison They aimed to neutralize the terrorist threat before it could do harm

Examples of usage

She tried to counterbalance the negative feedback with positive comments.
His hard work counterbalanced his lack of experience in the field.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the combination of 'counter,' meaning 'opposite,' and 'balance,' which refers to evenness or stability.
It has roots in Middle French and was first used in the late 15th century.
In Latin, 'counterbalance' can be related to 'aequilibrium' which means 'equal weight' or 'steady state.'

Science

In physics, counterbalancing is crucial in structures like bridges, where forces must be equal to maintain stability.
In human anatomy, muscles work as counterbalances to maintain posture and movement efficiently.
Counterbalance weights are used in various machinery to ensure safe operation by balancing out heavier components.

Economics

In economics, counterbalancing might refer to policies implemented to offset negative economic impacts, like subsidies to support struggling industries.
Trade agreements often include counterbalancing clauses to ensure fairness between nations.
The concept of market equilibrium also entails a counterbalance between supply and demand.

Psychology

In psychology, counterbalancing can refer to techniques used in experiments to control for variables, ensuring fair results.
It’s also a concept referenced in emotional health, where balancing positive and negative emotions is important for well-being.
Therapists encourage counterbalancing negative thoughts with positive affirmations to foster a healthier mindset.

Literature

In literature, counterbalance is often seen in character development, where a character's strength might be counterbalanced by a flaw.
Stories with dual protagonists often showcase a counterbalance in themes, such as light versus darkness.
The term is used in discussions about narrative arcs, where tension must be counterbalanced by resolution for effective storytelling.

Translations

Translations of the word "counterbalance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contrapeso

🇮🇳 संतुलन

🇩🇪 Gegengewicht

🇮🇩 penyeimbang

🇺🇦 противага

🇵🇱 przeciwwaga

🇯🇵 対抗勢力

🇫🇷 contrepoids

🇪🇸 contrapeso

🇹🇷 karşı denge

🇰🇷 균형추

🇸🇦 ثقل موازن

🇨🇿 protiváha

🇸🇰 protiváha

🇨🇳 平衡重

🇸🇮 protivteža

🇮🇸 mótvægi

🇰🇿 қарсы салмақ

🇬🇪 წინააღმდეგობა

🇦🇿 əks çəki

🇲🇽 contrapeso

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,995, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
18992 remoteness
18993 chanted
18994 venturing
18995 counterbalance
18996 shyness
18997 papyrus
18998 infiltrate
...