coun·ter·point
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpȯint 
1
a
: a complementing or contrasting item : opposite
b
: use of contrast or interplay of elements in a work of art (such as a drama)
2
a
: one or more independent melodies added above or below a given melody
b
: the combination of two or more independent melodies into a single harmonic texture in which each retains its linear character : polyphony
counterpointed; counterpointing; counterpoints
1
: to set off or emphasize by juxtaposition : set in contrast
counterpoints the public and the private man—
Tom Bishop
Tom Bishop2
: to compose or arrange in counterpoint
Examples of counterpoint in a Sentence
Noun
The guitar and bass are played in counterpoint.
The dressing is a refreshing counterpoint to the spicy chicken.
The painting is a pleasant counterpoint to his earlier works.
The music works in counterpoint to the images on the screen.
Verb
The violence of the movie is counterpointed by ironic humor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
At times, the action provides counterpoint to the romantic period songs.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Shelby Knick, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Artful costuming design is the goth-ish palette of pollution — blacks, bleak grays, gritty silvers counterpointed only by pristine white.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 23 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
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Noun
An insistent backbeat kept Fantasy of a Broken Heart lively and muscular, but the off-center guitars provided an appealingly sour counterpoint that lent a sense of surprise to this group’s version of pop.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
At times, the action provides counterpoint to the romantic period songs.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
What makes this Andalusian driving escape truly special is its perfect balance—the exhilaration of commanding winding mountain roads counterpointed by moments of tranquil luxury.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Artful costuming design is the goth-ish palette of pollution — blacks, bleak grays, gritty silvers counterpointed only by pristine white.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 23 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpoint. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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