counterbalance
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
to balance out an effect or quality by adding an opposite one, so neither side becomes too dominant
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
Rashid's practical skills counterbalanced his lack of a university degree.
Rows of tall trees counterbalance the heavy traffic noise from the motorway.
Diego tried to counterbalance the team's pessimism by pointing out every small success.
- 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
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
counterbalance — noun
- counterbalancesingular
- counterbalancesplural
1. a weight, force, or quality that balances out another, preventing one side from
a weight, force, or quality that balances out another, preventing one side from becoming too strong or extreme
The heavy iron wheel acts as a counterbalance to the lift's passenger cabin.
physical counterbalance: 'acts as a counterbalance to'
Yuna's cheerful outlook was a welcome counterbalance to the office's gloomy mood.
The cooling fan provides a natural counterbalance to the heat from the engine.
Priya saw the charity work as a counterbalance to her high-pressure corporate job.
A small weight on the shorter arm serves as a counterbalance for the heavier load.
- counterweight
more literal; typically refers to a physical weight in a mechanical system
- counterpoise
formal and literary; rarely used in everyday speech
- imbalance
a state where one side is too strong or dominant
用法筆記
Commonly used with verbs such as 'act as', 'serve as', 'provide', or 'offer' followed by 'a counterbalance to' or 'a counterbalance for' something.