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Counterbalance vs Contend - What's the difference?

counterbalance | contend |

As verbs the difference between counterbalance and contend

is that counterbalance is to apply weight in order to balance an opposing weight while contend is to strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

As a noun counterbalance

is a weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.

counterbalance

English

(counterweight)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (literally) A weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.
  • (figuratively) A force or influence that balances, checks or limits an opposite one.

    • Synonyms

    * counterpoise * counterweight

    Verb

    (counterbalanc)
  • To apply weight in order to balance an opposing weight.
    • ''Big brother counterbalances his two siblings to the pound.
  • * Boyle
    • The remaining air was not able to counterbalance the mercurial cylinder.
  • To apply force in order to balance an opposite one.
    • ''Arm wrestling is undecided as long as the opponents counterbalance each-other
  • (figuratively) To match or equal in effect, but acting in opposition
    • ''The defenders' knowledge of the terrain roughly counterbalances the attackers' superior equipment
  • * Sir W. Hamilton
    • The study of mind is necessary to counterbalance and correct the influence of the study of nature.
  • *
    • A considerable effort has been made in these volumes to counterbalance this activity by introducing the student to the plants as living entities with a "life of their own," as Spruce put it.

    Synonyms

    * counteract * counterpoise * counterweight * equiponderate * offset

    Antonyms

    * outweigh * overcome * overpower

    contend

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
  • * Bible, Deuteronomy ii. 9
    • The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle.
  • * Shakespeare
    • For never two such kingdoms did contend without much fall of blood.
  • to struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
  • * Dryden
    • You sit above, and see vain men below / Contend for what you only can bestow.
  • to strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.
  • * John Locke
    • The question which our author would contend for.
  • * Dr H. More
    • Many things he fiercely contended about were trivial.

    Synonyms

    * struggle, fight, combat, vie, strive, oppose, emulate, contest, litigate, dispute, debate

    Related terms

    * contender * contention * contentious

    External links

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