Library / English Dictionary

COUNTERBALANCE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A weight that balances another weight

Synonyms:

balance; counterbalance; counterpoise; counterweight; equaliser; equalizer

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("counterbalance" is a kind of...):

weight (an artifact that is heavy)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "counterbalance"):

sash weight (a counterweight for a sliding sash)

tare ((chemical analysis) a counterweight used in chemical analysis; consists of an empty container that counterbalances the weight of the container holding chemicals)

Derivation:

counterbalance (contrast with equal weight or force)

counterbalance (adjust for)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A compensating equivalent

Synonyms:

counterbalance; offset

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("counterbalance" is a kind of...):

compensation (something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury))

Derivation:

counterbalance (oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions)

counterbalance (adjust for)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Equality of distribution

Synonyms:

balance; counterbalance; equilibrium; equipoise

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Hypernyms ("counterbalance" is a kind of...):

construction; structure (a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "counterbalance"):

conformation (a symmetrical arrangement of the parts of a thing)

proportion; symmetry (balance among the parts of something)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions

Example:

This will counteract the foolish actions of my colleagues

Synonyms:

counteract; counterbalance; countervail; neutralize

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "counterbalance" is one way to...):

cancel; offset; set off (make up for)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "counterbalance"):

override (counteract the normal operation of (an automatic gear shift in a vehicle))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

counterbalance (a compensating equivalent)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Contrast with equal weight or force

Synonyms:

counterbalance; oppose

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "counterbalance" is one way to...):

contrast; counterpoint (to show differences when compared; be different)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "counterbalance"):

counterpoise; counterpose; counterweight (constitute a counterweight or counterbalance to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

counterbalance (a weight that balances another weight)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Adjust for

Example:

engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance

Synonyms:

compensate; correct; counterbalance; even off; even out; even up; make up

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "counterbalance" is one way to...):

balance; equilibrate; equilibrise; equilibrize (bring into balance or equilibrium)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "counterbalance"):

carry (compensate for a weaker partner or member by one's own performance)

compensate; cover; overcompensate (make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

counterbalance (a weight that balances another weight)

counterbalance (a compensating equivalent)

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