countervail
Act against effectively
Countervail means to offset or counterbalance something, typically a force or influence: Tax incentives countervail the higher labor costs.
The word appears most often in trade policy, where countervailing duties are tariffs imposed to neutralize foreign subsidies that give imported goods an unfair advantage.
Outside legal and economic contexts, the word is rare and somewhat formal.
Oppose or refuse compliance
- opposeAct against something
- withstandRemain intact despite pressure
- contraveneAct against a rule
- defyResist or challenge openly
challenge · thwart · foil · frustrate · obstruct · impede · hinder · block
resist
Oppose or refuse compliance
- opposeAct against something
- withstandRemain intact despite pressure
- contraveneAct against a rule
defy · challenge · thwart · foil · frustrate · obstruct · impede · hinder · block · check
counterweight
Balancing mass in machinery
- compensateMake up for
- offsetCompensate by opposing force
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
equalize · equilibrate · equipoise · level · stabilize · adjust · correct · redress · square · neutralize
negate
Cancel or disprove
- neutralizeCancel an effect
- nullifyMake of no effect
- invalidateMake null or void
annul · void · cancel · undo · obviate · vitiate · override · quash · defeat · undermine
countervailreinforce
Add strength to something
amplify · strengthen · intensify · augment · magnify
countervailunbalance
Disturb stability or composure
destabilize · overthrow · upset · tip the scales · overwhelm