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
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
Carolyn, whose position in America’s preeminent political dynasty is a counterpart to Diana’s place in the royal family, is spooked, to put it mildly.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
In a phone call Sunday, Bangkok’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow asked his Iranian counterpart for help in the search and rescue operation.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Much of the focus, inevitably, will be on the battle between City coach Pep Guardiola and Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta, his former assistant in Manchester.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Its iOS variants are practically identical to its Android counterparts.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterpart
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Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
In a phone call Sunday, Bangkok’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow asked his Iranian counterpart for help in the search and rescue operation.
—Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Much of the focus, inevitably, will be on the battle between City coach Pep Guardiola and Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta, his former assistant in Manchester.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Its iOS variants are practically identical to its Android counterparts.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterpart
Cite this Entry
“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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