special counsel
noun
: counsel appointed to fill a particular need: as
a
: a federal government official appointed by the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute government corruption in cases where the Attorney General's office has a conflict of interest
b
: a federal government official appointed to protect federal employees from illegal practices by employers and especially from employer reprisal for whistleblowing
Examples of special counsel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Contrast Mueller’s approach with that of the next special counsel to investigate a president, Robert Hur.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The document offers a snapshot of an early moment in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation and adds new shading to the public understanding of Smith’s probes.
—Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2026
Mueller's tenure as special counsel was the capstone of a career spent in government.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
Mueller, who served as special counsel during the investigation into possible Russian interference in favor of Trump during the 2016 presidential election, died at 81 following a multi-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
In August, 2025, the New York Times reported that the former special counsel had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2021.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 21 Mar. 2026
Mueller’s tenure as special counsel was the capstone of a career spent in government.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
When the death of Robert Mueller, 81, the former FBI director who served as special counsel in an investigation of Russia's interference in the 2016 election, was announced by his family, the wait began.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Martha Stone, founder and special counsel of the Center for Children’s Advocacy, told the Courant that the foster care system is in crisis and that the reimbursement rates should be addressed.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2026
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David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The document offers a snapshot of an early moment in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation and adds new shading to the public understanding of Smith’s probes.
—Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2026
Mueller's tenure as special counsel was the capstone of a career spent in government.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
Mueller, who served as special counsel during the investigation into possible Russian interference in favor of Trump during the 2016 presidential election, died at 81 following a multi-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
In August, 2025, the New York Times reported that the former special counsel had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2021.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 21 Mar. 2026
Mueller’s tenure as special counsel was the capstone of a career spent in government.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
When the death of Robert Mueller, 81, the former FBI director who served as special counsel in an investigation of Russia's interference in the 2016 election, was announced by his family, the wait began.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Martha Stone, founder and special counsel of the Center for Children’s Advocacy, told the Courant that the foster care system is in crisis and that the reimbursement rates should be addressed.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Special counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20counsel. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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