coun·ter·bal·ance 
/ˈkaʊntɚˌbæləns/ verb
coun·ter·bal·anc·es; coun·ter·bal·anced; coun·ter·bal·anc·ing /ˈkaʊntɚˌbæləns/ verb [+ obj] formal : to have an effect that is opposite but equal to (something) : to balance (something) by being opposite
▪ Improved services for phone customers have been counterbalanced [=offset] by higher fees. ▪ The author's wry humor counterbalances the book's serious subject matter.
▪ Improved services for phone customers have been counterbalanced [=offset] by higher fees. ▪ The author's wry humor counterbalances the book's serious subject matter.
— counterbalance noun, plural counterbalances [count]
▪ The author's wry humor is a good counterbalance to the book's serious subject matter.
▪ The author's wry humor is a good counterbalance to the book's serious subject matter.
