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
Looming over the competition is the threat of nuclear annihilation that a calculating KGB agent warns his American counterpart is a very real danger if this contest doesn’t go off as planned.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun are visiting Cambodia to hold talks with their counterparts, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defense Minister Tea Seiha.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Allora’s vegetarian menu is as fully realized as its omnivore counterpart, with multiple options to choose from – not just the requisite mushroom risotto.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
As with its counterparts, Washington’s law does not restrict the types of other professional activities an agent may pursue while representing athletes.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterpart
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Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun are visiting Cambodia to hold talks with their counterparts, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defense Minister Tea Seiha.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Allora’s vegetarian menu is as fully realized as its omnivore counterpart, with multiple options to choose from – not just the requisite mushroom risotto.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
As with its counterparts, Washington’s law does not restrict the types of other professional activities an agent may pursue while representing athletes.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 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 Apr. 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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