counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt 

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

• coequal
• compeer
• coordinate
• equal
• equivalent
• fellow
• like
• match
• parallel
• peer
• rival

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

The cannabis, edibles and vapes are often indistinguishable from their legal counterparts, aside from the bargain prices. —Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024

European vs American ambition Nicholai Tangen, the CEO of Norway’s Norges Bank Investment Management, has noted that Americans work harder than their counterparts across the Atlantic. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 June 2024

Trump has repeatedly linked undocumented immigrants to making crime worse in the United States, despite research showing that immigrants are incarcerated and convicted for crimes at lesser rates than their U.S.-born counterparts. —Max Greenwood, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024

Indiana starting pitcher Jake Black (5-3) and reliever Bryce Devan were just a little bit better than their counterparts. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌpärt 

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

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt 

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