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 advisers
a person who gives advice especially professionally
the toy manufacturer hired a public relations counsel to do some damage control
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counsels
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
At the same time, general counsels (GCs) and chief legal officers (CLOs) are realizing that their own people, who know the business intimately, are better positioned than outside counsel and vendors to handle day-to-day matters.
—Eric Harmon, Forbes.com, 25 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
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
At the same time, general counsels (GCs) and chief legal officers (CLOs) are realizing that their own people, who know the business intimately, are better positioned than outside counsel and vendors to handle day-to-day matters.
—Eric Harmon, Forbes.com, 25 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
-
Combs' lawyers are seeking to overturn his conviction.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
His concerns, however, were met with the first public statement on the case from Kohberger's lawyers made outside a courtroom.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The start-up scene, with its conferences, workshops, and accelerators; its Silicon Valley–like culture; its foreign investors and advisers; looked to him and others like the leading edge of such a threat.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
Never enough designers, developers, researchers, lawyers, service agents, advisors, or strategists.—
Brian Solis,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Forbes also consults news reports and salary databases such as Capology, Over the Cap and Spotrac.—
Brett Knight,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
The couple consults their town historian Joe, played by James Austin Johnson, about getting a historical landmark designation for Woodstone to prevent the planned demolition.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Its infrared seeker locks onto a target before launch and guides itself to impact without further operator control.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
26 May 2026
-
By the 31st minute, Andrew guides Sudeikis and his family to the back near the other celebrities.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The Challenger report also advises teens to start filling out applications ASAP.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
Soto advises teenagers looking for work to check which skills and certifications are required for a prospective role — for example, childcare workers and babysitters often need first aid and CPR certifications.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Saturday’s forecast suggests around a 50% chance of rain in the vicinity of the cave system, as Laos enters its annual rainy season.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Research suggests wildfire mitigation work pays off.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility There are ramps at the entrance, and four accessible rooms—one on each floor—that have been tweaked and updated with help from outside consultants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
The only happy ones would be TV station managers and political consultants cashing Steyer’s super-sized checks.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The graininess of the photos also confers an appropriately gritty quality.—
Amy Reyes,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
The act confers additional deduction benefits for overtime hours.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counsels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsels. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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