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Definition of countervailing

countervailing

/ˌkaʊn.tɚˈveɪ.lɪŋ/
coun · ter · vail · ing
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countervailing Lexical Profile

countervailing Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Offsetting or acting against an opposing force, influence, or effect with equal strength.

Example

"Strong consumer spending acted as a countervailing force against rising interest rates."

2

Designating an import tariff or duty imposed to neutralize the negative effects of foreign government subsidies on domestic producers.

Example

"The trade commission imposed countervailing duties on imported steel to protect local manufacturers."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

'Countervailing' is almost always used attributively before a noun (such as 'countervailing force', 'countervailing duty', or 'countervailing evidence') rather than predicatively after a linking verb.

• Rhymes for countervailing

• Nearby Words

counterterrorist
countertop
countertrend
countervailing
counterview
counterweight
countess

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the verb 'countervail', which entered Middle English via Anglo-Norman 'contrevailoir', from Latin 'contra valere', meaning 'to be of worth or strength against'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Countervailing. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/countervailing
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