1
as in lawyer
a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations
if you cannot afford counsel, one will be provided for you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in advice
an opinion suggesting a wise or proper course of action
I suggest you take the teacher's counsel
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in adviser
a person who gives advice especially professionally
the toy manufacturer hired a public relations counsel to do some damage control
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in consult
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
she approved the move after a counsel with her advisers
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem
concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
every year the admissions officer counsels thousands of students about the process of applying to college
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to advise
to give advice to
perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of counsel
Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Gardner and Sulaiman declined to comment on the terminations, citing advice of counsel.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Prior to his appointment, while serving as DeWine’s lieutenant governor, Husted counseled DeWine on the appointment of the chair of Ohio’s Public Utilities’ Commission, the state’s top utility regulator.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Noun
Haimes filed his ruling on Thursday, just hours after Poliakoff and legal counsel for the city filed a joint motion requesting that the judge hold off on a ruling because both parties had agreed to enter into settlement negotiations.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Gardner and Sulaiman declined to comment on the terminations, citing advice of counsel.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
De-stress on the daily Whether we're being sapped by parenting decisions, job hunting, health troubles or world weariness, many of us could use a charge to our internal battery, says clinical psychologist Enmanuel Mercedes, who counsels many (often exhausted) parents.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Prior to his appointment, while serving as DeWine’s lieutenant governor, Husted counseled DeWine on the appointment of the chair of Ohio’s Public Utilities’ Commission, the state’s top utility regulator.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsel
Noun
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Art Hartinger is the lawyer who has been representing the county.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Jesús Eduardo Arias, a lawyer representing the Ramos-Solano family, said that an independent investigation into Ramos’ death will be underway to determine his cause of death.—
Ryanne Mena,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While that advice refers primarily to metal utensils, the same principles apply across materials, especially where thin construction can increase the risk of breakage.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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His advice is refreshingly simple and practical.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On December 27, 2017, Robin Rosenzweig, the wife of Elliott Broidy and a legal adviser to his investment firm, received what appeared to be a security alert from Google, asking for her Gmail password.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Lewandowski had been an unpaid adviser to Noem.—
Nate Raymond,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mireya Mayor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Mireya Mayor,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
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The position consults with medical, social work, rehabilitation, education, nursing, custody and other personnel regarding program planning and evaluation and the development of direct and indirect services — with medical and other clinical consultation as necessary.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The pair are chaos agents who, in conferring the benefit of sudden wealth, lure the recipients into corruption.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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He has been conferred 30 honorary degrees, including from the University of New Haven in 1991 and 2010 and was an emeritus member of the University’s Board of Governors for nearly 30 years.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More than a saying, pura vida is a guiding philosophy that honors simplicity and sustainability, and celebrates the deep-rooted connection between people and their environment.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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Pluto is in your supportive 4th house, guiding conversations with housemates or relatives about necessary shifts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This was, after all, the woman who had advised me not to hold her hand on the way to fifth grade because doing so would only increase my social isolation.—
Lena Dunham,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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A week after the crash, police are advising anyone drinking to either call a friend or use a rideshare to get home safely.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Michael Loria The president’s address comes as new polling suggests the war has become unpopular among Americans, most of whom want the United States to stop fighting soon.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Chronic cortisol elevation does change the face over time, and the biology behind the viral term is more real than most dismissals of it suggest.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsel. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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