Tom, this lumber, sat at one end of this sentence, while, too light to counterbalance him, on the other side, sat Mary.
Source: tatoeba (1077415)
Counterbalance
/ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/
Synonyms for "counterbalance" (191 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (39)
Noun(15 words)
balancecounterpoisecounterweightequipoiseoffsetbalance conceptbalance in motionbalancedbalancerbalancesbalancingbalancing equationsballastingballastschecks and balances
Strong matches (57)
Noun(13 words)
Adjective(1 words)
ecological system balance
Related words (95)
equivalenteveneven upfirmfirm upfitfixativeflip sidefoilfoul windfreezefrustrategive-and-takegyroscopehave weighthead windheftholdhold the scalesimmobilize
Show 64 more words
integrateinvalidateinversejuxtapose in oppositionkeeplevellie heavymake upmakeweightmirror imagenail downnegatenegativatenegativeneutralizenullifyobverseoffsetopposeoppositeopposite numberoppugnother sideoutweighparallelpin downplay at cross-purposespoiseproportionquid pro quoreactionrectifyredeemretainreverserun counter toset offsetoffsomething of valuesquaresquare upstabilitatestabilizestabilizersteadystickstrike a balancestultifythe contrarythe other sidethwarttip the scalestit for tattransfixundercurrentundovis-a-visvitiatevoidweighweigh heavyweigh inweigh outweight
Verb(7 words)
Noun(4 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: balance, counterpoise, counterweight, equipoise, offset.
- Sentence evidence is available for counterbalance, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, wiktionary, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "counterbalance".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "counterbalance"
Keep "counterbalance" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "counterbalance" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "counterbalance", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "counterbalance" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
19 entriesShowing 16 of 19 words.
More specific
13 entriesbalanced scalebalancing mechanismcalibrationchecks and balancescounterweightcounterweight systemcounterweighted leverneutralizeneutralizeroffsetoffset counterweightoffsetting factorweighting
Collocations
17 entriesbalanced scalechecks and balancescompensatory effectcounterbalance effectcounterbalance forcecounterbalance mechanismcounterbalance weightcounterbalancing designcounterbalancing forcecounterbalancing mechanismcounterbalancing variablecounterweight systemcounterweighted levermechanical counterbalanceoffsetting effectoffsetting influence
Showing 16 of 17 words.
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
I don't think this business could have succeeded without my keen, calculating partner to counterbalance my adventurous nature.
Source: tatoeba (11125286)
I don't exercise enough to counterbalance the amount of calories I take in.
Source: tatoeba (11202318)
Big brother counterbalances his two siblings to the pound.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "counterbalance"?
Closest matches include balance, counterpoise, counterweight, equipoise, offset.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "counterbalance"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.