Synonyms of counterpart
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

Synonyms of counterpart

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
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.
In swimming pools, Black children drown at rates nearly eight times higher than their counterparts. Veronica Almedina, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026 For his part, Reeves — who was much newer to the world of professional racing than his veteran counterpart — also felt that as well. Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026 Like their counterparts in the founding generation, most 19th century reformers had their own prejudices and their own ideas about whose liberation mattered most. Brian Delay, Mercury News, 4 July 2026 Albanese will fly to the Solomons on Tuesday to meet with his counterpart Matthew Wale after the two nations agreed to further discussions on a security pact. ABC News, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterpart

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterpart was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Counterpart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpart. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

counterpart

noun
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
: one of two corresponding or duplicate copies of a legal instrument

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