noun

counterbalance

counterbalance, counterweight

The crane uses a heavy counterbalance.

The crane uses a heavy counterbalance.

Her optimism is a counterbalance to his pessimism.

Her optimism is a counterbalance to his pessimism.

a counterbalance ((to sth.)) The new law is a counterbalance to corporate power.

Synonyms: counterweight, counterpoise, offset

From the prefix 'counter-' (against) and 'balance'. It refers to a force that 'balances against' another force.

Think of a seesaw. To 'counter' the weight on one side, you need an equal 'balance' on the other.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.