When the elevator goes up, the counterweight goes down.
Source: tatoeba (2740160)
Counterweight
Synonyms for "counterweight" (98 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (20)
Noun(9 words)
Strong matches (29)
Verb(2 words)
Related words (49)
flipperflywheelfoul windgive-and-takegovernorgyroscopehairspringhanginghead windkeelmakeweightmordantoffsetpendulumquid pro quoragscenesceneryscreenscrim
Show 21 more words
setoffshock absorberside scenesomething of valuespringsstabilizatorstabilizerstage screwstiffeningtabtableautail planeteasertit for tattormentortransformationtransformation sceneundercurrentwingwingcutwoodcut
Noun(8 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: balance, counterbalance, counterpoise, act drop, asbestos.
- Sentence evidence is available for counterweight, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, 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 "counterweight".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "counterweight"
Keep "counterweight" 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 "counterweight" 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 "counterweight", 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 "counterweight" 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
10 entriesanalytical adjustmentbalancing actionbalancing factorbalancing techniquecounterbalanceloadmechanical adjustmentopposereference weightweight
More specific
13 entriesbalancing weightbias counterweightingcalibration weightcrane counterweightdynamic counterweightingeconomic counterweightelevator counterweightgeopolitical counterweightoffset counterweightingpolitical counterweightrisk counterweightingstatic counterweightingstatistical counterweighting
Collocations
10 entriesattach counterweightbalance the loadcounterweight cablecounterweight pulleycounterweight systemcrane counterweightelevator counterweighthydraulic counterweightprovide a counterweightweight balancing
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriesSample sentences
5 total sentences available.
Four 110-ton counterweights, one in each tower, make this feat possible by reducing the effective weight to be lifted to some 25 tons; but an additional 20 tons (a very heavy snow load) can be lifted if necessary.
Source: wiktionary
Like other supertall towers, 432 Park relies on the counterweight system to address the forces of wind and reduce the feeling of swaying for residents.
Source: wiktionary
A counterweight to the anti-immigrant fear mongering of the former leader of the right-wing U.K. Independence Party, Nigel Farage, Lexiteers^([sic]) argued a left-wing, democratic and internationalist case for Brexit.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 5 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "counterweight"?
Closest matches include balance, counterbalance, counterpoise, act drop, asbestos.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "counterweight"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.