counterpoised
In stable equilibrium
Counterpoised means balanced against an opposing force or weight.
Two counterpoised elements hold each other in equilibrium: The sculpture's extended arm was counterpoised by a heavy base.
The term extends to abstract balance—political factions, competing interests, or arguments that offset each other: Her optimism was counterpoised by his caution.
State of balance
- equipoiseEqual distribution of weight
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- stabilityResistance to displacement
parity · proportion · steadiness · evenness · tension · counterweight · offset · levelness
Fixed securely in position
- bracedSteadied against force
- steadiedMade firm or stable
- securedMade fast or obtained
- stabilizedMade steady or constant
supported · buttressed · balanced · grounded · suspended · held · maintained · fixed
Direct opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- contrastNotable difference between things
- polarityState of opposing forces
- tensionStretched or strained state
dichotomy · duality · antagonism · contradiction · counterforce · opposing · rivalry · standoff
Arranged elements forming whole
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- asymmetryAbsence of balanced form
- tensionStretched or strained state
juxtaposition · proportion · visual balance · harmony · contrast · interplay · dynamic equilibrium · weight distribution
equilibrium
State of balance
- equipoiseEqual distribution of weight
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
stability · parity · proportion · steadiness · evenness · tension · counterweight · offset · levelness · stasis
anchored
Fixed securely in position
stabilized · supported · buttressed · balanced · grounded · suspended · held · maintained · fixed · tensioned
antithesis
Direct opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- contrastNotable difference between things
- polarityState of opposing forces
tension · dichotomy · duality · antagonism · contradiction · counterforce · opposing · rivalry · standoff · deadlock
composition
Arranged elements forming whole
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- asymmetryAbsence of balanced form
tension · juxtaposition · proportion · visual balance · harmony · contrast · interplay · dynamic equilibrium · weight distribution · counterpoint
counterpoisedunbalanced
Lacking equilibrium or stability
imbalanced · off-balance · lopsided · tilted · disproportionate
counterpoisedunstable
Prone to sudden change
unsteady · tipping · tottering · wobbling · precarious
counterpoisedhaphazard
Lacking organization or plan
asymmetrical · unsymmetrical · disordered · disarranged · uncoordinated