as in contrast
something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way
The warm color palette of the furniture is the perfect counterpoint to the cool walls. The acidity of the sauce works in counterpoint to the richness of the dish.
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Recent Examples of counterpoint
Neither Ada nor Angèle’s scenes serve as counterpoints to the more urgent drama facing Maxine, merely making the movie feel unbalanced and disjointed.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
For a fresh counterpoint to fall’s deep, moody tones, look to this bestselling Madewell bucket tote.
—Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
As a counterpoint, the female characters play a larger role.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
American describes the broader arc as threefold—Butler’s relationship to California’s geography; her matrilineal inheritance; and finally, her visions of space travel as counterpoints to today’s privatized explorations.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
For a fresh counterpoint to fall’s deep, moody tones, look to this bestselling Madewell bucket tote.
—Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
As a counterpoint, the female characters play a larger role.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
American describes the broader arc as threefold—Butler’s relationship to California’s geography; her matrilineal inheritance; and finally, her visions of space travel as counterpoints to today’s privatized explorations.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoint
Noun
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In that spirit, the exhibition resists the expectation that women and non-binary artists must define themselves in contrast to a male norm.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
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In contrast to conventional phases of matter, the non-equilibrium quantum ones are defined by their dynamical and time-evolving properties.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Puzzle Me screen reader works as a complement to other screen reader technology.—
Patrick Merrell,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
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The best results come from collaboration—writers, designers and strategists working together to make sure the visuals and messaging complement each other.—
Kristine Johnson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoint. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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