verb , noun
■ verb
/ ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns; NAmE ˌkaʊntərˈb-/ [ vn ] ( formal ) to have an equal but opposite effect to sth else
SYN offset :
Parents' natural desire to protect their children should be counterbalanced by the child's need for independence.
■ noun
/ˈkaʊntəbæləns; NAmE ˈkaʊntərb-/ (also coun·ter·weight ) [ usually sing. ] counterbalance (to sth) a thing that has an equal but opposite effect to sth else and can be used to limit the bad effects of sth :
The accused's right to silence was a vital counterbalance to the powers of the police.