counterbalance

/ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkaʊntərˈbæləns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌba-lən(t)s ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈba-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkaʊn.təˌbæl.əns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkaʊn.t̬ɚˌbæl.əns/ (ame, ipa)

counterbalance — verb

  • counterbalancepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • counterbalanceshe / she / it
  • counterbalancedpast simple
  • counterbalancing-ing form

1. to balance out an effect or quality by adding an opposite one, so neither side b

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to balance out an effect or quality by adding an opposite one, so neither side becomes too dominant

例句

Keiko counterbalanced her colleague's nervous energy with a calm, steady voice.

The sharp lemon juice counterbalanced the rich sweetness of the cream sauce.

counterbalance used with food and flavour descriptions

同義詞
  • offset

    more neutral; often used in financial or technical contexts without the idea of active opposition

  • compensate for

    implies making up for a lack or deficiency rather than opposing a force

  • neutralize

    stronger — suggests completely cancelling out an effect, as in chemistry

反義詞
  • amplify

    to make an effect or quality stronger rather than balancing it

  • reinforce

    to strengthen one side rather than adding an opposing force

文法句型

counterbalance + noun/noun phrase

用法筆記

Often appears as 'X counterbalances Y' where both X and Y are qualities, forces, or influences. Also common in the passive: 'X is counterbalanced by Y.'

常見錯誤

❌I counterbalanced my mistake by apologising.
✅I made up for my mistake by apologising.
💡counterbalance is for opposing forces or qualities, not for fixing personal errors.

counterbalance — noun