verb
countervail
kown-ter-VAYL/kˈaʊntɝvˌeɪl/
To balance or counteract the effect of something.
Iron counterweights countervail the stone's downward pull, keeping the beam level.
Etymology
“Against” and “be worth” express matching something in strength or value. To countervail something is thus to meet it with enough opposing force to offset its effect.
More examples
- Lower fuel costs countervailed the increase in shipping fees.
- The treatment's benefits countervail its unpleasant side effects.
- Public pressure acts as a countervailing force against corporate influence.
Forms
countervail · countervails · countervailed · countervailing
Similar words
- offset
- Often describes compensating for a cost, loss, or disadvantage.
- counteract
- Emphasizes working against an effect rather than balancing it.
- counterbalance
- Emphasizes balancing one weight or influence with another.