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
For a more secluded experience, the South Grove Trail offers a quieter counterpoint—and is well worth the extra effort for those seeking fewer crowds.
—
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
The mandolins weave intricate patterns together, in counterpoint or unison.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Stetson also gathered a lot of woodwinds, particularly clarinets, as a counterpoint to the trees and as a voice for the icy, violent dread that hangs over the Harkin-Cunningham nuptials.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
The additions represented a welcome counterpoint to what occurred during much of 2025, when job losses consistently haunted the Bay Area.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
The mandolins weave intricate patterns together, in counterpoint or unison.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Stetson also gathered a lot of woodwinds, particularly clarinets, as a counterpoint to the trees and as a voice for the icy, violent dread that hangs over the Harkin-Cunningham nuptials.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
The additions represented a welcome counterpoint to what occurred during much of 2025, when job losses consistently haunted the Bay Area.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoint
Noun
-
Contemporary sculpture, by contrast, is born transient, and can enact only contingent experiences of belonging.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
The contrast underscores the complementary goals of the missions.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Brazzell, in theory, would be quite the complement to Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker in three-receiver sets.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
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While some of Parloir’s participating galleries, like the three-year-old KIN, have participated in Art Brussels in the past, the new fair amounted to more of an energizing complement than a competitive threat.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoint. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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