What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
countervailing
Example
The countervailing forces of supply and demand determine market prices. [countervailing: adjective]
Example
The government imposed countervailing duties on imported goods to protect domestic industries. [countervailing: adjective]
compensatory
Example
The company offered compensatory time off for employees who worked overtime. [compensatory: adjective]
Example
The victim received a compensatory settlement for the damages caused by the accident. [compensatory: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Compensatory is more commonly used than countervailing in everyday language. Compensatory is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while countervailing is less common and is mostly used in economic or trade contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between countervailing and compensatory?
Both countervailing and compensatory are formal words that are typically used in professional or technical contexts, such as economics, law, or trade policies.
