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
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.
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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
For relaxation, a luxurious spa, sauna and snow room provide a serene counterpoint to the dramatic landscapes.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
The sobering counterpoint to their success emerged less than 10 minutes away, in a more remote Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
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
For relaxation, a luxurious spa, sauna and snow room provide a serene counterpoint to the dramatic landscapes.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
The sobering counterpoint to their success emerged less than 10 minutes away, in a more remote Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterpoint
Cite this Entry
“Counterpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterpoint. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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