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
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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
Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Behind the scenes, Casey Blaine, the automaker’s senior regulatory counsel, acknowledged to state regulators that the California service doesn’t qualify as driverless.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Over 28 years as head of the ADL before retiring in 2015, Foxman counseled presidents and diplomats, CEOs and celebrities.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Noun
Routine matters might be handled internally or deferred, while more significant issues justified the cost of external counsel.
—Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Behind the scenes, Casey Blaine, the automaker’s senior regulatory counsel, acknowledged to state regulators that the California service doesn’t qualify as driverless.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Verb
In a recent court appearance, a judge granted his request to waive his right to counsel.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Over 28 years as head of the ADL before retiring in 2015, Foxman counseled presidents and diplomats, CEOs and celebrities.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsel
Noun
-
Hudson’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
In January 2010, Mayorga reached an out-of-court settlement with Ronaldo’s lawyers — the footballer was not present at mediation — and received $375,000 in return for agreeing never to go public with the accusations, and for the settlement not to be viewed as an admission of guilt.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Catherine Bracy, the CEO of TechEquity, a tech advocacy group that favors stronger AI regulations, speculated that the Anthropic employees were receiving advice to back Becerra because of his frontrunner status.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
-
My advice to early career scientists is to follow your passion and not be discouraged by the current stress on the system.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
On a Saturday in March 2020 as the world was on the verge of shutting down in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Feinglos – then a senior policy adviser in North Carolina – was tapped to help the state declare a lockdown of the state’s schools.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
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He was even asked to become an adviser to the FDA, McAfee told me.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The neurological consult also changed Yates’s view of sleep, nutrition, and the consequences of running on fumes.—
Melinda Fulmer,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
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Beverly Kingston 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.—
Beverly Kingston,
The Conversation,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Bourdieu called this cultural capital, the non-financial assets—knowledge, skills, sensibilities—that confer status and advantage.—
Dr. Marcus Collins,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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In June 2025, the union representing state engineers sued the Newsom administration alleging that the order violated state labor law by failing to confer with the union over its impacts.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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That document will be the guiding plan that sets the DDA's priorities into the future.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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The family won a retrial based on negative film stored within evidence files that their lawyer argued shows that police may have guided Sakahara to the location of the body.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Anyone who may have been exposed to measles should first determine whether they have been vaccinated against measles by checking their immunization records, the public health department advised.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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Jon Hyman, chair of the employment and labor practice at the Wickens Herzer Panza law firm, advises his clients to trust individual managers to work out arrangements on a case-by-case basis.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Yes, recent research suggests birding may boost both brain health and mental wellbeing.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
Research also suggests that if the hobby involves art, spending two or more hours per week on it provides the strongest well-being benefits.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsel. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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