What does "counterpoise" mean?

A weight sufficient to balance another, for example in the opposite end of scales; an equal weight.

What is a synonym for "counterpoise"?

Common synonyms include: accommodate, adjust, antipodes, antipole, antithesis, antonym.

Pronounced //ˈkaʊntə(ɹ)ˌpɔɪz//.

//ˈkaʊntə(ɹ)ˌpɔɪz// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level

Noun

1
A weight sufficient to balance another, for example in the opposite end of scales; an equal weight.
2
a weight that balances another weight wordnet
3
An effect of equal power or force acting in opposition; a force sufficient to balance another force or influence
"This necessary counterpoise, the affectionate and simple-minded will readily conceive, would arise to Louisa from the absence of those "dear familiar faces" which had hitherto constituted her world."
4
The relation of two weights or forces which balance each other; equilibrium

Verb

1
To act against with equal weight; to equal in weight; to balance the weight of; to counterbalance.
"Weights, counterpoising one another."
2
constitute a counterweight or counterbalance to wordnet
3
To act against with equal power; to balance.
"So many freeholders of English […]will be able to beard, and to counterpoise the rest."

"Knights acted as a counterpoise to the barons."

From Old French contrepois, contrepeser, later assimilated to poise.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.