makeweight

Added to balance

A makeweight is something added to make up a required weight or quantity, like extra goods tossed on a scale to reach the minimum.

More commonly, the word describes a person or thing included only to fill out a group or meet a requirement, not because they're genuinely wanted or valuable: The young defender was seen as a makeweight in the transfer deal.

The term often carries a dismissive tone, suggesting the addition is minor or expendable.

substitute

stopgap

Temporary substitute measure

provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
expedientUseful if not ideal

stand-in · placeholder · fill-in · understudy · benchwarmer · reserve · backup · fallback · last resort · pinch hitter

insignificant

trivial

Lacking significance or weight

negligibleToo small to consider
minorScale with lowered third
unimportantLacking significance or weight

inconsequential · token · nominal · trifling · slight · paltry · meager · insignificant · incidental · throwaway

balance

counterbalance

Offsetting force or weight

offsetCompensate by opposing force
equipoiseEqual distribution of weight
counterpoiseBalancing opposing force

compensation · equalizer · dead load

filler

padding

Material for cushioning

stuffingSeasoned mixture for cavities
bulkMain mass or size
fillMake something full

shim · spacer · packing · top-up · ballast · surplus · remainder · leftover · odd lot · tare

Opposites

importance/centrality

makeweightcentrepiece

Prominent table display

cornerstone · main attraction · centerpiece · linchpin · keystone

substance/value

makeweightreal thing

Authentic original item

genuine article · prize · treasure · gem · jewel

intentionality/purpose

makeweightfirst choice

Most preferred option

top pick · priority · headliner · main event

Family

make, weight, made, maker, making, makes, lightweight, heavyweight, counterweight

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G