counterbalance vs offset

counterbalance and offset both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
counterbalance	Yes	No	Yes	No
offset	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, counterbalance and offset are synonyms defined as:

As verbs, offset is a hypernym of counterbalance; that is, offset is a word with a broader meaning than counterbalance:

Other hypernyms of counterbalance include cancel, set off.

counterbalance (noun)	offset (noun)
a weight that balances another weight	structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly
a compensating equivalent	a plate makes an inked impression on a rubber-blanketed cylinder, which in turn transfers it to the paper
equality of distribution	a natural consequence of development
	a horizontal branch from the base of plant that produces new plants from buds at its tips
	a compensating equivalent
	the time at which something is supposed to begin

counterbalance (verb)	offset (verb)
oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions	produce by offset printing
contrast with equal weight or force	create an offset in
adjust for	cause (printed matter) to transfer or smear onto another surface
	make up for
	compensate for or counterbalance