French word

contre-pouvoir

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃tʁəpuvwaʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncounterweight

Example

Dans une démocratie, les médias sont souvent un contre-pouvoir.

In a democracy, the media are often a counterweight.

Illustration for contre-pouvoir (counterweight)

More examples

Dans l'entreprise, le syndicat peut servir de contre-pouvoir.

In the company, the union can serve as a countervailing force.

Core concept

A force outside the ruling center that keeps power from moving in one direction.

Common phrases

  • les contre-pouvoirs

    countervailing forces

  • exercer un contre-pouvoir

    exercise countervailing power

  • un contre-pouvoir local

    a local countervailing force

Similar words

média: An organization or medium that reports and shares news and information.
justice: Courts and institutions that resolve disputes under the law.
société civile: The sphere where citizens and groups express views and take social action.

Definition in French

Force sociale ou institutionnelle qui contrebalance l'autorité d'un État, d'une institution ou d'un groupe.

Word origin

Contre-pouvoir combines contre-, meaning "against", with pouvoir, from Old French pooir and ultimately Latin posse, "to be able".

Usage tips

  • Contre-pouvoir is masculine, so it takes un, and its plural is contre-pouvoirs.

Other meanings

  • checknoun
  • counterforcenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word