French word

contrebalancer

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃tʁəbalɑ̃se/

Meaning

  • verboffset

Example

Le gain doit contrebalancer la perte.

The gain must offset the loss.

Illustration for contrebalancer (offset)

More examples

Il faut contrebalancer les effets négatifs par des avantages concrets.

The negative effects need to be counterbalanced by concrete advantages.

Core concept

A force on one side offsets the effect of another and restores balance.

Common phrases

  • contrebalancer par des avantages

    counterbalance with advantages

  • contrebalancer les effets négatifs

    counterbalance negative effects

Similar words

compenser: To make up for a shortfall or loss with something else.
annuler: To completely cancel an action or effect.
neutraliser: To weaken an effect through an opposing action until it is nearly ineffective.
équilibrer: To keep two forces or quantities in balance by making them roughly equal.

Definition in French

Faire qu'un élément annule l'impact d'un autre en lui opposant une force ou un avantage compensatoire.

Word origin

Contrebalancer combines French contre- ('against') with balancer ('to balance'), forming a verb for offsetting one effect with another.

Usage tips

  • Contrebalancer is transitive, so the offset factor is the direct subject and the affected factor follows without a preposition.

Other meanings

  • compensate for ___verb
  • counterbalanceverb

Opposites

  • déséquilibrerunbalanceverb
  • déstabilisermake unstableverb

Word lists with this word