1
as in lawyer
a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations
if you cannot afford counsel, one will be provided for you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in advice
an opinion suggesting a wise or proper course of action
I suggest you take the teacher's counsel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in consult
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
she approved the move after a counsel with her advisers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
every year the admissions officer counsels thousands of students about the process of applying to college
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to advise
to give advice to
perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counsel
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
Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
My husband came to counseling one time but said about two words and didn’t come back.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Sanders had uncovered in 2014 that Rackauckas’ prosecutors and sheriff’s deputies for years had illegally used jailhouse informants to coax confessions from defendants who had attorneys, in violation of their right to counsel.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
My husband came to counseling one time but said about two words and didn’t come back.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsel
Noun
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Reporters interviewed dozens of former regime officials, many of whom spoke on condition of anonymity for their safety, as well as Syrian human rights lawyers, European law enforcement, civil society groups and members of the new Syrian government.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The Right to Counsel program has since boosted the percentage of those with lawyers from 4% before the pandemic to up to 70% this year, a nonprofit involved said.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Newsom, who has four children under 18, said California has a responsibility to protect kids and teens who are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for everything from homework help to emotional support and personal advice.—
Trân Nguyễn,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
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But beyond that familiar advice, dietary guidance has long been vague and inconsistent.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Abraham Rutchick,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
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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
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Oxford conferred an honorary doctorate on Franklin in 1762 for his electrical discoveries.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsel. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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