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
But the Hornets had a tough time shaking free from their conference counterparts.
—
Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The picks were something of a surprise considering the turret is usually filled with Survivor and Big Brother players (who are generally better versed in reality competition gaming strategy than their Bravo counterparts).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Schumacher’s counterparts in Utah and Arizona are also warily eyeing medium-range weather forecasts for any signs of a change in the weather pattern that would signal an improvement in their water outlook as well.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterpart
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Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Western counterparts often acknowledge them privately, even as public backlash from some European institutions and media figures ensued against Rubio’s candor.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The picks were something of a surprise considering the turret is usually filled with Survivor and Big Brother players (who are generally better versed in reality competition gaming strategy than their Bravo counterparts).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Schumacher’s counterparts in Utah and Arizona are also warily eyeing medium-range weather forecasts for any signs of a change in the weather pattern that would signal an improvement in their water outlook as well.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 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 12 Jan. 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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