counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt How to pronounce counterpart (audio)
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

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 Vanni Sartini, Smith’s Vancouver counterpart, served the first of a six-match suspension for comments critical of officiating made during last year’s final Whitecaps playoff defeat. Observer Wire Reports, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2024 And although Sybil Sassoon’s brooding black taffeta opera cloak looks somewhat flat compared to its five-foot illustrative counterpart, the dressed mannequins act as three dimensional portals into Sargent’s world. Leah Dolan, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 But his hard-charging leadership style has garnered perhaps as much attention as his track record, with some likening him to his counterpart at Tesla. Steve Mollman, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 The American counterpart to the Tsetse fly, which causes African sleeping sickness, kissing bugs bear a parasite from the same genus (Trypanosoma) in their feces. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Findings from a recent Deloitte study determined that women sports fans are equally, if not more, engaged compared to their men counterparts. Lindsey Darvin, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Since the series is rooted in history, Rosario was able to draw inspiration from the characters’ real-life counterparts. Caroline Brew, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024 Although using mission statements as a methodological lens has its limitations, the insights gleaned from this analysis are telling: while East Coast companies are seemingly driven by community and service, their West Coast counterparts are busying themselves with building. Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Veterans, like their civilian counterparts, aren’t waiting for the laws to change. Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterpart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near counterpart

Cite this Entry

“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

counterpart

noun
coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌpärt How to pronounce counterpart (audio)
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 How to pronounce counterpart (audio)
: one of two corresponding or duplicate copies of a legal instrument

More from Merriam-Webster on counterpart

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