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 daytime cravings, Jane Q offers a bright, casual counterpoint.
—
Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Fair counterpoint: Pivetta, who has not finished any of his previous eight major league seasons with an ERA under 4.04, had never begun a season with an ERA under 2.49 through four starts.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Longstreth’s songwriting played on sharp juxtaposition and counterpoint.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
The counterpoint to Pritzker’s light touch on Schumer is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been merciless in her disapproval of Schumer’s decision.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Fair counterpoint: Pivetta, who has not finished any of his previous eight major league seasons with an ERA under 4.04, had never begun a season with an ERA under 2.49 through four starts.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Longstreth’s songwriting played on sharp juxtaposition and counterpoint.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
The counterpoint to Pritzker’s light touch on Schumer is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been merciless in her disapproval of Schumer’s decision.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoint
Noun
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Trump’s welcoming of South Africa's white minority stands in contrast to Trump’s revocation of resettlement and refugee programs for hundreds of thousands of people who have fled violence and political persecution from countries like Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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In contrast, the mostly rural state of Mississippi has the lowest range of all states, starting at $85,423 and capping at $109,830.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The Puzzle Me screen reader works as a complement to other screen reader technology.—
Robyn Weintraub,
People.com,
9 May 2025
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There were a few uncharacteristic giveaways from Scheifele, but Winnipeg should head into Game 2 with its full complement of forwards intact.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoint. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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