counteract

(verb)

To act in opposition to; to hinder, defeat, or frustrate, by contrary agency or influence; as, to counteract the effect of medicines; to counteract good advice.

Related Terms

Examples of counteract in the following topics:

  • Causes of the bullwhip effect and counteracting the bullwhip effect

  • Translational Equilibrium

    • The force of gravity on the book is perfectly counteracted by the force of the table pushing on it.
    • The force of gravity pulls the object down the wedge, but it is counteracted by the force of friction between the wedge and the object.
    • The four forces of the table leg counteract the force of the table and the object pushing on them.

  • Changes in Concentration

    • If a chemical system at equilibrium experiences a change in concentration, temperature, volume, or partial pressure, then the equilibrium shifts to counteract the imposed change.
    • The chemical system will attempt to partially counteract the change imposed on the original state of equilibrium.

  • Le Chatelier's Principle

    • Le Chatelier's principle states that changes to an equilibrium system will result in a predictable shift that will counteract the change.
    • The system tries to counteract the decrease in partial pressure of gas molecules by shifting to the side that exerts greater pressure.
    • Similarly, if we were to increase pressure by decreasing volume, the equilibrium would shift to the right, counteracting the pressure increase by shifting to the side with fewer moles of gas that exert less pressure.

  • The Importance of Addressing Opposing Views

    • When you consider and counteract opposing arguments, you strengthen your own argument.
    • The best way to counteract an opposing viewpoint is to anticipate what an opponent might say.

  • The "Noisy Minority" Effect

    • The best way to counteract this effect is to point it out very clearly and provide supporting evidence showing how small the actual number of dissenters is, compared to those in agreement.

  • Electrostatic Shielding

    • When an external electric field operates on a Faraday cage, the charges within the cage (which are mobile, as the cage is a conductor) rearrange themselves to directly counteract the field and thus "shield" the interior of the cage from the external field

  • Personal Biases

    • Personal biases toward information, intelligence, gender, ability, handicap, race, or other closely held beliefs are detrimental to decision-making processes and are often hard to counteract.

  • The Value of Social Support in Managing Stress

    • Social support reduces psychological distress and promotes adjustments that counteract high stress levels.
    • Social support also bolsters physical health, which can counteract many negative effects of stress.

  • Stimulants

    • They are used to increase or maintain alertness; to boost endurance or productivity; to counteract fatigue and lethargy throughout the day; to counteract abnormal states that diminish alertness or consciousness (such as in narcolepsy); to decrease appetite and promote weight loss; and to enhance concentration (especially for those with attentional disorders such as ADHD).