counterpart

noun

coun·​ter·​part ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt How to pronounce counterpart (audio)
Synonyms of counterpartnext
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.
And like McCauley, Davis has a counterpart on the other side of the law. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026 The House bill, and its Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 594, which passed on Wednesday, lifts that restriction. Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026 The film also draws major inspiration from the Rock Springs Massacre of 1885, a notorious outbreak of anti-Chinese violence in the American West, in which at least 28 Chinese coal miners were killed by their white counterparts. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026 Momentum in that direction, however, has come at the same time that the party faces a fraught financial gap compared to its GOP counterpart that could end up carrying major implications down the ballot. Hunter Woodall, CBS News, 11 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 2026.

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

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