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.
Britain wants to pour another £120 million — roughly $160 million — into a government lab that tests the world’s most powerful AI models, an infusion of cash that alone is more than 10 times the annual budget of its US counterpart. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026 The likely explanation is that American soccer clubs have embraced the traditions of their European counterparts, where fans routinely wave flags, sing chants and unfurl massive banners. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 People who work for small companies, with fewer than 200 employees, paid more for healthcare than their counterparts at larger companies. — Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026 But true to her mainline counterpart, Absolute Diana is a more hopeful character than, say, the broodish Batman. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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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