countervail
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to act or avail against with equal power, force, or effect; counteract.
- Synonyms:
- neutralize, counterpoise, counterbalance
-
to furnish an equivalent of or a compensation for; offset.
-
Archaic. to equal.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to act or act against with equal power or force
-
(tr) to make up for; compensate; offset
Other Word Forms
- uncountervailed adjective
Etymology
Origin of countervail
1350–1400; Middle English contrevailen < Anglo-French countrevail-, tonic stem (subjunctive) of countrevaloir to equal, be comparable to < Latin phrase contrā valēre to be of worth against (someone or something). See counter-, -valent
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their grief and fury set in motion the countervailing force of justice that, no matter how belated, cannot be denied.
From Los Angeles Times
There are three countervailing arguments that should prompt individuals, especially those nearing retirement, to give bonds a closer look.
From MarketWatch
Without “cultural invention as a potential countervailing force,” the counter-counterculture filled the vacuum with the vulgar nihilism of digital norm evasion.
“The countervailing tension exists between avoiding estate tax through lifetime transfers and avoiding capital gains tax through step-up at death,” he says.
From MarketWatch
The Commerce Department will issue antidumping duty orders and countervailing duty orders on such imports as a result.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
