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
To chart their own resurgence, here’s what Sumrall and Florida can learn from this Sunshine State counterpart.
—
Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Initially, little progress was made despite multiple meetings between Bessent and his Chinese counterparts.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025
Last Saturday, an Islamic State infiltrator ambushed a meeting between American soldiers and their local counterparts in a Syrian desert town.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
The light-support Yosemite Bra is great for keeping comfortable while traveling, and can be worn on with its matching counterpart or on its own with your favorite pair of joggers or travel-friendly pants.
—Amber Cardullo, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpart
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Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Initially, little progress was made despite multiple meetings between Bessent and his Chinese counterparts.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025
Last Saturday, an Islamic State infiltrator ambushed a meeting between American soldiers and their local counterparts in a Syrian desert town.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
The light-support Yosemite Bra is great for keeping comfortable while traveling, and can be worn on with its matching counterpart or on its own with your favorite pair of joggers or travel-friendly pants.
—Amber Cardullo, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpart
Cite this Entry
“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
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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