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
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2
as in consultants
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
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Recent Examples of counsels
James Parker, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
Moody has been dedicating her practice to helping clients navigate the AI space and counsels nearly a dozen generative voice and audio AI companies.
—Claudia Rosenbaum, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Kristina Conti, one of the counsels of the victims, said in a press conference at The Hague on Monday that requests for Duterte’s interim release should be denied, since the Duterte family remains powerful in the Philippines and has access to a wealth of resources.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Board members, for their part, will be able to question both parties, their legal counsels and any witnesses who participate at any time during the hearing.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025
The Office of Special Counsel is a separate entity from the special counsels appointed by the Justice Department.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
One letter, signed by close to 50 cybersecurity professionals, warned of the chilling effect the verdict would have on decision making by CISOs and the balance of responsibility with general counsels, CEOs, and other members of the C-suite.
—Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Harder, Martin counsels, demonstrating proper technique.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Radford, Seidule said, would be subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, under which the military has its own judges and prosecuting counsels.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Alana Semuels, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
Hints, counsels, warnings, remonstrations, even encouragements are, in the end, of limited value.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
Moody has been dedicating her practice to helping clients navigate the AI space and counsels nearly a dozen generative voice and audio AI companies.
—Claudia Rosenbaum, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Kristina Conti, one of the counsels of the victims, said in a press conference at The Hague on Monday that requests for Duterte’s interim release should be denied, since the Duterte family remains powerful in the Philippines and has access to a wealth of resources.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Board members, for their part, will be able to question both parties, their legal counsels and any witnesses who participate at any time during the hearing.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025
The Office of Special Counsel is a separate entity from the special counsels appointed by the Justice Department.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
One letter, signed by close to 50 cybersecurity professionals, warned of the chilling effect the verdict would have on decision making by CISOs and the balance of responsibility with general counsels, CEOs, and other members of the C-suite.
—Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Harder, Martin counsels, demonstrating proper technique.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Radford, Seidule said, would be subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, under which the military has its own judges and prosecuting counsels.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
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But the lack of transparency and due process are similar, and there are few to no guarantees of the safety of people whom ICE agents remove, often without identifying themselves, and move around without notifying the family or lawyers of the detained.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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Defense lawyers did not call any witnesses and said that the core of the case, military statements taken over 50 years ago, were manifestly unreliable, with no independent supporting evidence offered to back the prosecution case.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Price contends the Jameson portion of the USGS report is outdate and inaccurate, pointing to a much more recent 2025 third-party review from Sproule ERCE energy consultants that estimates the Jameson basin could hold 9 billion net barrels of recoverable crude oil.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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Later, when cracks emerged after construction started and the cement had been poured, consultants who recommended covering the façade with a rubbery coating to seal the cracks were similarly dismissed.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The organization also consults school district websites and letters sent to school districts and corresponds with librarians, authors and teachers.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The organization also consults school district websites and letters sent to school districts and corresponds with librarians, authors and teachers.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In making the announcement, Lego brought out Ke Huy Quan, the Oscar winner who famously played Data, for a nostalgic mini-film, in which the actor guides viewers through the set and its Easter eggs.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Through heartfelt storytelling and vibrant illustrations, the book guides children (and the adults reading with them) toward a deeper understanding of self-expression, balance, personal joy, and the importance of one’s feelings.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bayer also advises that the drug may cause drowsiness and vertigo, and recommends that anyone taking the drug to avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Early evidence suggests autonomous driving technology may help improve road safety and reduce crashes.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
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Glassman suggests diversifying risk with Treasurys, corporate bonds and perhaps a credit fund, like a bank loan or high-yield bond fund.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mizuhara capitalized on the language barrier to keep Ohtani’s financial advisers from understanding their client, and, at times, Mizuhara even impersonated the player to the bank to prolong the fraud.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Just as importantly, advisers can provide perspective when emotions threaten to take over.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump could also try to invoke Section 301, which confers powers to combat unfair trade practices, or Section 232, which applies to national security situations.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
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Over time, the population accumulates mutations and sometimes one of them confers an advantage to the species.—
D. Scott Schmid,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counsels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsels. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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