What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
balancer
Example
He is a great balancer and can handle multiple tasks at once. [balancer: noun]
Example
The gymnast demonstrated her incredible balancing skills on the beam. [balancing: gerund or present participle]
counterbalance
Example
The heavy weight on one side of the scale was used as a counterbalance to the lighter weight on the other side. [counterbalance: noun]
Example
She tried to counterbalance the negative feedback by highlighting her achievements. [counterbalancing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Balancer is less common and more specific in its usage compared to counterbalance. Counterbalance is a more versatile term that can be applied to various situations involving opposing forces or weights.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between balancer and counterbalance?
Both balancer and counterbalance can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, counterbalance may be slightly more formal due to its association with technical or scientific discussions.