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

Synonyms of counterpart

• equivalent

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

Since then, various reports of Ukrainian troops skirmishing with North Korean counterparts have emerged. — CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

But, when Ukrainian negotiators push for more detainees, their Russian counterparts tend to respond coolly. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

But for every Eddie Van Halen or Randy Rhoads, there were plenty of other face-melters who existed in some form of relative obscurity compared to their more famous counterparts. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Dark brown sugar contains more molasses than its light brown counterpart. — Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for counterpart

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart

Kids 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