1
as in lawyers
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 advisers
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
1
as in consults
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 guides
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 advises
to give advice to
perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in suggests
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.
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Recent Examples of counsels
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Daniel keeps searching month upon month, unable to give up on his son, even as his father counsels against continuing what could be considered an obsession.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 May 2026
Under Florida law, anyone who aids, abets or counsels someone in the commission of a crime may be considered a principal in the first degree.
—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Email seeking comment were sent to the counsels of record for Westmed Medical Group.
—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
During the hearing, Ethics Committee counsels will present evidence that comes from the panel’s yearslong investigation into Cherfilus-McCormick, which was released in January.
—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
After taking office, Lee appointed three independent counsels to look into allegations involving Yoon, his wife and associates.
—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Sitting alongside our lawyers in our counsels, defending the state of Texas and having to put my name out there in defense of the state.
—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
Tess wants to keep certain parts of the past secret from him—that way, Marjorie won’t relearn them—but Jon counsels candor.
—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
14 Dec. 2025
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
De-stress on the daily Whether we're being sapped by parenting decisions, job hunting, health troubles or world weariness, many of us could use a charge to our internal battery, says clinical psychologist Enmanuel Mercedes, who counsels many (often exhausted) parents.
—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
19 Mar. 2026
Oliver counsels Evan that Bree is very frightened and craves stability.
—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Shaziah Singh counsels public and private strategic buyers on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and debt transactions, and corporate matters.
—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Nicolas Thompson-Lleras, a Los Angeles attorney who counsels immigrants facing deportation, said two of his clients were registered under aliases at different hospitals in Los Angeles County last year.
—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Another letter by the Colorado County Clerks Association counsels the same.
—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
1 Dec. 2025
Licensed therapist Allison Guilbault, who counsels Gen Z clients in New York City, said splitting tabs, sharing Ubers and buying their own drinks has also become the standard.
—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Kelsey’s group has facilitated 234 face-to-face surrenders through its hotline, which counsels women who might want to surrender their babies, but just about 62 babies have been left in boxes since Kelsey started the organization, according to Kelly, the nurse and company representative.
—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
The offering's own structure counsels patience.
—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Daniel keeps searching month upon month, unable to give up on his son, even as his father counsels against continuing what could be considered an obsession.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 May 2026
Under Florida law, anyone who aids, abets or counsels someone in the commission of a crime may be considered a principal in the first degree.
—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Email seeking comment were sent to the counsels of record for Westmed Medical Group.
—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
During the hearing, Ethics Committee counsels will present evidence that comes from the panel’s yearslong investigation into Cherfilus-McCormick, which was released in January.
—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
After taking office, Lee appointed three independent counsels to look into allegations involving Yoon, his wife and associates.
—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Sitting alongside our lawyers in our counsels, defending the state of Texas and having to put my name out there in defense of the state.
—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
Tess wants to keep certain parts of the past secret from him—that way, Marjorie won’t relearn them—but Jon counsels candor.
—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
Redberg, for example, counsels older patients about diet, exercise and weight loss but does not urge them to start medication to reduce a 135 systolic reading to below 120.
—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
De-stress on the daily Whether we're being sapped by parenting decisions, job hunting, health troubles or world weariness, many of us could use a charge to our internal battery, says clinical psychologist Enmanuel Mercedes, who counsels many (often exhausted) parents.
—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
19 Mar. 2026
Oliver counsels Evan that Bree is very frightened and craves stability.
—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Shaziah Singh counsels public and private strategic buyers on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and debt transactions, and corporate matters.
—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Nicolas Thompson-Lleras, a Los Angeles attorney who counsels immigrants facing deportation, said two of his clients were registered under aliases at different hospitals in Los Angeles County last year.
—
Claudia Boyd-Barrett,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Another letter by the Colorado County Clerks Association counsels the same.
—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
1 Dec. 2025
Licensed therapist Allison Guilbault, who counsels Gen Z clients in New York City, said splitting tabs, sharing Ubers and buying their own drinks has also become the standard.
—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Kelsey’s group has facilitated 234 face-to-face surrenders through its hotline, which counsels women who might want to surrender their babies, but just about 62 babies have been left in boxes since Kelsey started the organization, according to Kelly, the nurse and company representative.
—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsels
Noun
-
Shirilla's lawyers took that judgment to the Eighth District Court of Appeals, which upheld Russo's decision, as the Supreme Court did again on Tuesday.
-
Crowley’s lawyers allege their client repeatedly pointed out the LAFD’s worsening resource and staffing crisis before the fire and warned that aging infrastructure, surging emergency calls and shrinking staff left the city at risk.
Noun
-
Generally, the extremely rich need advisors who can oversee complex financial issues and intergenerational wealth, said Cerulli's Horton.
-
Gen Z is a financially proactive generation – interested in finance, willing to talk openly about financial struggles and engaging financial advisors sooner than previous generations.
Verb
-
An InStyle editor consults a hairstylist to share seven recreatable hairstyles for women over 60, inspired by Fonda.
-
Shelly Palmer, a futurist who consults for Microsoft and other companies, spends his days explaining the trends in AI to corporate leadership.
Verb
-
Eder believed that American flags should be made in America, a philosophy that still guides the company today.
-
For a truly memorable half day on the island, book a session at Forge a Memory, where a blacksmith guides you through making your own knife.
Verb
-
To get around the closure, Caltrans District 3 advises motorists to merge onto westbound Interstate 80, take the Kidwell Road exit, turn left onto Kidwell Road and then turn left onto the eastbound Interstate 80 on-ramp.
-
Don’t wait to go to a health care provider, the CDC advises.
Verb
-
Police dispatch audio suggests the 27-year-old has both a valid FOID card and Concealed Carry License.
-
For every Founding Father looking to free the colonies from British tyranny, there was a Larry (often called Lawrence here) who suggests that sharing desserts and umbrellas should be prohibited by the Declaration of Independence.
Noun
-
As a result, merchants like Nekhala with complicated issues struggle to find a human to help them, and when they do, often get passed from one representative to another, according to sellers and their consultants.
-
The 13-page document is on LAFD letterhead and includes email addresses for department officials, representatives of Bass’ office and public relations consultants hired to help shape messaging about the fire.
Verb
-
The graininess of the photos also confers an appropriately gritty quality.
-
The act confers additional deduction benefits for overtime hours.
Cite this Entry
“Counsels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsels. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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