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
Allan’s voice is as gritty as ever, and is an effective counterpoint to Dean’s more polished delivery.
—
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
Soften the Landings Even a small lawn in a city yard can make a big difference, offering a green counterpoint to hardscaping elsewhere.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
Chic low-profile sneakers and new takes on thong sandals and flip-flops offered a more casual counterpoint.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Her teaching partner, Mary Vandorou, provided a counterpoint.
—Janine Di Giovanni, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
Soften the Landings Even a small lawn in a city yard can make a big difference, offering a green counterpoint to hardscaping elsewhere.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
Chic low-profile sneakers and new takes on thong sandals and flip-flops offered a more casual counterpoint.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Her teaching partner, Mary Vandorou, provided a counterpoint.
—Janine Di Giovanni, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoint
Noun
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For the chattering women, by contrast, the tool of power is writing; and for people who were almost certainly illiterate, the writing takes on almost magical characteristics.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Oct. 2025
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The characters are all different, but the contrast in personalities was similar.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And so Rice and Smith, to me, are a perfect complement.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The cardamom and iris in Santal 33 complement the incense notes in Babycat while adding a smoky woodiness that makes the whole blend even more intriguing.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoint. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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