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

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.
The tide began turning early last month, when Canada’s top diplomat Anita Anand visited Beijing to meet with her counterpart Wang Yi. Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025 Studiocanal’s expertise and track record in theatrical distribution is another competitive advantage that most of its European counterparts don’t have. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025 The new Yamashiro, located on the rooftop of the Gale Hotel, pays homage to its West Coast counterpart with a lush Japanese garden setting. Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025 The Treasury Department subsequently hit his Colombian counterpart and members of his family with sanctions. Erika Angulo, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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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