counsel 1 of 2

1
2
3
as in adviser
a person who gives advice especially professionally the toy manufacturer hired a public relations counsel to do some damage control

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

counsel

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
as in to suggest
to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action I would counsel caution and deliberation in this sensitive matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counsel
Noun
The President, en route back to Washington, had Mitchell and the White House counsel, John Ehrlichman, draft a statement backing down even further. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025 Other duties include providing legal support when the agency is engaged in litigation in coordination with the attorney general and chief counsel. Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Prior to joining Madewell, Lazarus was co-CEO of Cuup, a direct-to-consumer intimates brand, and a senior adviser at McKinsey & Company, counseling retail and apparel clients. David Moin, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025 And even now, if asked to counsel a current Lancers player, Sayin does it. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsel
Noun
  • McMahon has gutted the Education Department’s civil rights division, where lawyers and other federal employees work to ensure all students can access public school, free from discrimination.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Prosecutors further expressed concerns about the department's ability to take the case to trial quickly due to problems identifying all the relevant materials that would need to be handed over to Comey's lawyers, sources said.
    Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Department of Neighborhood Services condemnation team can help affected residents navigate the process and give advice on finding contractors.
    Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • And so that was a really good piece of advice that was given to me.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Her organization trains advisers, offers consulting services, and develops tools to help families prepare the next generations for wealth by openly discussing values and helping offspring define their own futures.
    Christina Binkley, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2025
  • McMahon has made Meg Kilgannon, who advocates for more Christian leadership in school districts, a top adviser.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Matthew Redmond does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
    Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Pre-arrival photo consults help estimate graft counts, map a design, and explain how prices range with case complexity.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Oxford conferred an honorary doctorate on Franklin in 1762 for his electrical discoveries.
    Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Sanchez and Officer Matt Levasseur approached the emergency room entrance, conferred briefly with a security guard and then vanished through the door.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Chiefs opened the third quarter at their own 19-yard line, but Mahomes guided the offense with chunk gains to five different pass-catchers during an eight-play touchdown drive that took less than four minutes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • After three subsequent losing seasons from 2021-23, Tom Allen was replaced by coach Curt Cignetti, who immediately guided the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff and their first top-10 finish since 1967.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • McGawley adds, advising that the least successful way to pass along money and assets is to wait until children reach an age milepost such as 30 and then hand over a substantial income without any scaffolding.
    Christina Binkley, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Malcolm is understandably furious (and his uncle has only recently advised him that revenge is the best way to mend a broken heart).
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Floyd suggests making a day of it.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
  • As Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports pointed out, Belichick was busy hitting the recruiting trail during North Carolina's bye week, suggesting the head coach is still looking for talent to help the Tar Heels beyond this season.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsel. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on counsel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!