as in contrast
something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way
The warm color palette of the furniture is the perfect counterpoint to the cool walls. The acidity of the sauce works in counterpoint to the richness of the dish.
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Recent Examples of counterpoint
The sandals’ slim shape and square toe offered a refined counterpoint to the playful print, and echoed a growing number of barely-there summer silhouettes seen recently on everyone from Julianne Moore to Demi Lovato.
—
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 22 June 2025
The tortilla had no flavor; the tostada which supposedly offers textural counterpoint — the whole idea, according to its advocates, like Times newsletter jefe Karim Doumar — was soggy.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
However, here’s the counterpoint to all of those fun ideas.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Poetry in the Soil: Thematic Roots of the Exhibition
Mutu’s enigmatic works do not mimic or mock classical aesthetics but create a contemporary counterpoint.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 22 June 2025
The tortilla had no flavor; the tostada which supposedly offers textural counterpoint — the whole idea, according to its advocates, like Times newsletter jefe Karim Doumar — was soggy.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
However, here’s the counterpoint to all of those fun ideas.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Poetry in the Soil: Thematic Roots of the Exhibition
Mutu’s enigmatic works do not mimic or mock classical aesthetics but create a contemporary counterpoint.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterpoint
Noun
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In contrast, the Cincinnati area is aging more quickly and struggling to draw in younger workers — a trend that, according to the chamber's report, could hinder the region’s ability to compete with other metros in business growth, infrastructure development, and innovation.—
Randy Tucker,
The Enquirer,
25 July 2025
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In contrast, the S&P 500 index has risen by 14% during the same timeframe.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Apple and caramel are the perfect complement to graham cracker's warm, nutty flavors.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
17 July 2025
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Its complement, formerly the home of tycoon and philanthropist Chung Keng Quee and now the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, was painted the precise food-coloring green of Malaysian pandan cake.—
Kevin West,
Travel + Leisure,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoint. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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