countervail

verb

coun·​ter·​vail ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈvāl How to pronounce countervail (audio)
countervailed; countervailing; countervails

transitive verb

1
: to compensate for
2
archaic : equal, match
3
: to exert force against : counteract

intransitive verb

: to exert force against an opposing and often bad or harmful force or influence

Examples of countervail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the march progressed, something odd began to happen between the countervailing messages. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026 Equally vital is the restoration of countervailing power. — Sarita Gupta, Time, 2 June 2026 His policies are imposing countervailing forces on the economy. — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025 These countervailing trends and pressures push companies to the middle, in the direction of speech-preserving but responsive and activist measures. — John Wihbey, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for countervail

Word History

Etymology

Middle English countrevailen, from Anglo-French cuntrevaloir, from cuntre- counter- + valoir to be worth, from Latin valēre — more at wield

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of countervail was in the 14th century

Rhymes for countervail

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Browse Nearby Words

countertype
countervail
countervailing duty
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Countervail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countervail. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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