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
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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
Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 26 June 2025
For a cost, an attorney can provide legal counsel and help determine whether your rights were violated.
—Margaret Cirino, NPR, 25 June 2025
Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
He’s spent the years since the controversy counseling other public figures who have been through similar experiences.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Noun
Trump fired previous special counsel Hampton Dellinger, despite his Senate confirmation to a five-year term, amid his battle to restore fired federal workers to their posts after the Trump administration booted federal workers still in their probationary period.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 26 June 2025
For a cost, an attorney can provide legal counsel and help determine whether your rights were violated.
—Margaret Cirino, NPR, 25 June 2025
Verb
But when counseling her distraught daughter, Georgia says the choice is Ginny’s to make, and no one else’s.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
He’s spent the years since the controversy counseling other public figures who have been through similar experiences.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsel
Noun
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However, the family's lawyers are now saying the police had records of his mental and physical state.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
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His administration’s lawyers complained too many judges were standing in the way of Trump’s agenda.—
David G. Savage,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Google has already issued advice on how to mitigate the dangers of recent SMS Blaster attacks, where the hacker doesn’t even need to know your phone number.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Using that analogy, Steven Spielberg had some really good advice in post-production.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 June 2025
Noun
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The first meeting of new vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wrapped up Thursday after days of discussions that rankled mainstream scientists, public health experts and major medical associations.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
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Then again, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner served as senior White House advisers during Trump’s first administration.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Noun
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In The Permanente Medical Group, virtual specialty consults like these resolved 40% of cases immediately without the need for additional visits.—
Robert Pearl,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Through Safe in the Seat’s free car seat finder tool, online courses, helpful videos, personalized consults, and daily doses of safety tips and tricks, Michelle is empowering caregivers to keep their most precious cargo safe in the seat.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The musician, whose real name is David Howell Evans, spoke to reporters after being officially conferred with thousands of other new Irish citizens during a ceremony in Killarney in County Kerry.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
24 June 2025
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After the teams cleared the field, the umpires conferred, the teams returned, and the Saints scored three runs.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Traffic control signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone, along with Connecticut State Police.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
24 June 2025
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There will be guided tours of the park and Wright’s Walter House in Quasqueton, Iowa.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Don't toss it immediately, advises Mather at URI, because identifying some key information about the tick can help determine your risks.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
23 June 2025
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As Forbes contributor Benjamin Laker advises, aiming for a realistic target, like a 5–10% raise, is key to negotiation success, especially when aligning your request with business goals.—
Andrew Fennell,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that the venom from one cone snail has the potential to kill up to 700 people.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
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Erdoğan called Trump on Monday during the G7 Summit and suggested a meeting in Istanbul for the next day, those officials said.—
Rachel Scott,
ABC News,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsel. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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