1
as in lawyer
a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations
if you cannot afford counsel, one will be provided for you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in advice
an opinion suggesting a wise or proper course of action
I suggest you take the teacher's counsel
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in adviser
a person who gives advice especially professionally
the toy manufacturer hired a public relations counsel to do some damage control
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in consult
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
she approved the move after a counsel with her advisers
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem
concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
every year the admissions officer counsels thousands of students about the process of applying to college
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to advise
to give advice to
perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counsel
Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Laurel Highlands School District board is bringing in outside counsel to review ongoing investigations after two teachers have been accused of having inappropriate relationships with students.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 24 Mar. 2026
Chan, addressing the same session, counseled diversifying investors and partners across regions as essential strategy.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Noun
Dallas Area Rapid Transit has named general counsel Gene Gamez as acting president and CEO after parting ways with Nadine Lee.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Laurel Highlands School District board is bringing in outside counsel to review ongoing investigations after two teachers have been accused of having inappropriate relationships with students.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
For example, Sloan notes, a pastor does not need to be counseling people in his home.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 24 Mar. 2026
Chan, addressing the same session, counseled diversifying investors and partners across regions as essential strategy.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsel
Noun
-
Paul and Mortensen are expected to participate in the hearing remotely while their lawyers appear in person at the Salt Lake City courthouse.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
One night, Nathan Calvin, a twenty-nine-year-old lawyer who worked at the nonprofit Encode and had helped craft the bill, was at home having dinner with his wife when a process server arrived to deliver a subpoena from OpenAI.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After hearing comments from dozens of concerned residents, and against the advice of the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission, the Granbury City Council on April 7 agreed to rezone 2,000 acres for a data center power plant.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The records do not show if Epstein’s advice was considered by the Saudi rulers.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 2017, Amodei hired Page Hedley, a former public-interest lawyer, to be OpenAI’s policy and ethics adviser.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Now that Sacramento County’s fiscal adviser has canceled the Sacramento City Unified School District board’s contract with a consulting firm, the district faces its budget crisis with fewer options and a ticking clock.—
Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kevin Cope does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Kevin Cope,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
-
During the February 2026 stay, Laura again requested a posey bed and asked for a psychiatric consult.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Being included in it could confer legitimacy upon a nation or an opposition party.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In fall 2025, the major enrolled 12 students and conferred one degree, according to school data.—
Jason Armesto,
AJC.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Almost all quickly reunite with their ewes, and any that struggle are guided back.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
After the game resumed, Matias Fernandez-Pardo delivered an assist and scored to guide his team to third place, nine points behind Lens.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Murray Rothbard, a libertarian economist who advised Buchanan, had articulated a similar imperative.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The city posted a warning on the door advising people not to enter the building due to safety concerns.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Michael Loria The president’s address comes as new polling suggests the war has become unpopular among Americans, most of whom want the United States to stop fighting soon.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Chronic cortisol elevation does change the face over time, and the biology behind the viral term is more real than most dismissals of it suggest.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsel. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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