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

Synonyms

• coequal
• compeer
• coordinate
• equal
• equivalent
• fellow
• like
• match
• parallel
• peer
• rival

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

New data from TransUnion shows Zoomers are using credit cards to make ends meet more than their Millennial counterparts did at the same stage of life. —Lindsey Downing, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Negro said the research did not investigate hunting success in relation to plumage color, but earlier research had suggested that whiter barn owls were more efficient hunters than their darker counterparts during a full moon. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024

Spending too much time defending 7-footers will likely offset the gains UCLA enjoys with Bilodeau’s shot-making against slower counterparts. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024

By combining innovative design, advanced technology and rigorous testing, Harbinger is proving that electric delivery trucks can not only match but potentially surpass their traditional counterparts in performance and reliability, even in the harshest winter conditions. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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