makeweight
noun
make·weight ˈmāk-ˌwāt 
1
a
: something thrown into a scale to bring the weight to a desired value
b
: something of little independent value thrown in to fill a gap
2
: counterweight, counterpoise
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Isabella, a third-year player, could be an attractive makeweight for Jacksonville and their new quarterback as a deep threat. 
Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 10 Aug. 2021 One of those players is Paulo Dybala, who nearly signed with Spurs on deadline day in August - could he be used as a makeweight if Juve's finances would allow it? SI.com, 3 Oct. 2019 One player who has frequently been touted as a makeweight in a deal, and one who would knock the price down significantly, is French forward Ousmane Dembele, who joined Barça from Borussia Dortmund in the same window Neymar moved to France. SI.com, 16 Aug. 2019 Manchester City are reported to have finalised a £32m move for Juventus full-back Joao Cancelo, with Danilo heading to Turin as a makeweight in the deal. SI.com, 4 Aug. 2019 The report further claims that should Chelsea continue to pursue former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri as Conte's successor that Luiz could be included as a makeweight of any potential deal. SI.com, 9 June 2018 The winger was supposed to be a makeweight in Madrid's attempts to lure Liverpool's rising star Mohamed Salah to the club; Los Blancos looking to exchange Bale and a set amount of cash for the flying Egyptian. SI.com, 9 Apr. 2018 The Netherlands was one of football’s backwaters until his career began, a makeweight at both club and international level. SI.com, 10 June 2018 Apparently, United targets Alex Sandro and Mario Mandzukic, and Real Madrid and Barcelona target Miralem Pjanic could be used as makeweight. SI.com, 31 May 2018 See More
Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 10 Aug. 2021 One of those players is Paulo Dybala, who nearly signed with Spurs on deadline day in August - could he be used as a makeweight if Juve's finances would allow it? SI.com, 3 Oct. 2019 One player who has frequently been touted as a makeweight in a deal, and one who would knock the price down significantly, is French forward Ousmane Dembele, who joined Barça from Borussia Dortmund in the same window Neymar moved to France. SI.com, 16 Aug. 2019 Manchester City are reported to have finalised a £32m move for Juventus full-back Joao Cancelo, with Danilo heading to Turin as a makeweight in the deal. SI.com, 4 Aug. 2019 The report further claims that should Chelsea continue to pursue former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri as Conte's successor that Luiz could be included as a makeweight of any potential deal. SI.com, 9 June 2018 The winger was supposed to be a makeweight in Madrid's attempts to lure Liverpool's rising star Mohamed Salah to the club; Los Blancos looking to exchange Bale and a set amount of cash for the flying Egyptian. SI.com, 9 Apr. 2018 The Netherlands was one of football’s backwaters until his career began, a makeweight at both club and international level. SI.com, 10 June 2018 Apparently, United targets Alex Sandro and Mario Mandzukic, and Real Madrid and Barcelona target Miralem Pjanic could be used as makeweight. SI.com, 31 May 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1a