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

Combined with an increase to a 120-watt TDP, this may well help improve productivity workloads — something the X3D chips have always fallen behind their non-X3D counterparts on. —Tom Warren, The Verge, 31 Oct. 2024

These findings suggest that partisan divides are influencing emotional responses to the election, with Democratic and Republican voters more unsettled than their Independent counterparts. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Research shows that full-time remote workers experience a 10-20% drop in productivity compared to in-office counterparts. —Chris Westfall, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

According to new analysis, GOP users are posting more and gaining more followers and engagements compared to their Democrat counterparts. —Makena Kelly, WIRED, 31 Oct. 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