Synonyms of counterpart
1
: one of two corresponding copies of a legal instrument : duplicate
2
a
: a thing that fits another perfectly
b
: something that completes : complement
the lead actress and her male counterpart
3
a
: one remarkably similar to another
The crow is sometimes mistaken for its larger counterpart, the raven.
b
: one having the same function or characteristics as another
college presidents and their counterparts in business

Synonyms of counterpart

Examples of counterpart in a Sentence

The secretary of defense met with his counterparts in Asia to discuss the nuclear crisis. Metal tools replaced their stone counterparts many, many years ago. the lead actress and her male counterpart
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This past week, Los Angeles theme parks had more humidity than their Orlando counterparts, something CBSLA chief meteorologist Paul Deanno says he’s never encountered during his career. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 Every few years, El Niño or its cool counterpart, La Niña, shifts rainfall across the tropics, dries out Australia, floods parts of Peru, and rearranges the weather on most of the planet. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 Just like their simulated counterparts, the worms consistently moved through the narrower channels faster than the wider ones. K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 Michigan companies that typically export to Canadian counterparts will either need to absorb the cost of tariffs or find new business partners domestically or abroad. Grant Schwab, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterpart

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterpart was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

counterpart

noun
1
: a part or thing that matches another
the left arm is the counterpart of the right
2
: something that serves to complete something else : complement
3
: a person closely resembling another

Legal Definition

counterpart

noun
: one of two corresponding or duplicate copies of a legal instrument
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