counterpart
noun
coun·ter·part
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt 
1
: one of two corresponding copies of a legal instrument : duplicate
2
a
: a thing that fits another perfectly
b
: something that completes : complement
the lead actress and her male counterpart
3
a
: one remarkably similar to another
The crow is sometimes mistaken for its larger counterpart, the raven.
b
: one having the same function or characteristics as another
college presidents and their counterparts in business
Examples of counterpart in a Sentence
The secretary of defense met with his counterparts in Asia to discuss the nuclear crisis.
Metal tools replaced their stone counterparts many, many years ago.
the lead actress and her male counterpart
Recent Examples on the Web
With seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, the house operates as the livable counterpart to the adjacent sports grounds and has at times been used as a rental.
—
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2026
Journalistic outlets that challenge government power, corporate interests, and popular opinion are far more likely to face censorship than their mainstream counterparts.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The data also points to Asian, Black, American Indian and Hispanic or Latino students showing greater year-to-year growth than their White counterparts.
—Reg Chapman, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Its southern counterpart, meanwhile, will be a little taller at 889 ft (270 m), with mixed-use residential space and another rooftop terrace.
—Adam Williams
april 03, New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterpart
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2026
Journalistic outlets that challenge government power, corporate interests, and popular opinion are far more likely to face censorship than their mainstream counterparts.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The data also points to Asian, Black, American Indian and Hispanic or Latino students showing greater year-to-year growth than their White counterparts.
—Reg Chapman, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Its southern counterpart, meanwhile, will be a little taller at 889 ft (270 m), with mixed-use residential space and another rooftop terrace.
—Adam Williams
april 03, New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterpart
Cite this Entry
“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
counterpart
noun
coun·ter·part
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌpärt
1
: a part or thing that matches another
the left arm is the counterpart of the right
2
: something that serves to complete something else : complement
3
: a person closely resembling another
Legal Definition
counterpart
noun
coun·ter·part
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpärt
: one of two corresponding or duplicate copies of a legal instrument
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
