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 the price of goods. [countervailing: adjective]
Example
The government imposed countervailing duties on imported goods to protect domestic industries. [countervailing: adjective]
counteracting
Example
The medication is effective in counteracting the side effects of chemotherapy. [counteracting: present participle]
Example
The company implemented measures to counteract the negative impact of the pandemic on its business. [counteract: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Counteracting is more commonly used than countervailing in everyday language. Counteracting is a more general term that can be used in various contexts, while countervailing is more specific and technical.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between countervailing and counteracting?
Countervailing has a more formal and technical connotation than counteracting. Therefore, countervailing is more appropriate for formal or technical writing, while counteracting can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
