counterpoint
1 of 2noun
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
counterpoint
2 of 2verb
counterpointed; counterpointing; counterpoints
transitive verb
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
Example Sentences
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 Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Aug. 2022 Irma Vep in counterpoint, superimposing images from the latter over the former. Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 The emotional toll of the pandemic sounded like a resonating chord through Raitt’s set, but often in counterpoint. Thom Duffy, Billboard, 22 June 2022 Two of the best turns offer a refreshing counterpoint to the occasional showing off. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2021 Because consumers power more than two-thirds of the economy, that willingness to spend has been held up as a key counterpoint to sentiments that the nation is barreling toward recession. Aaron Gregg, Washington Post, 26 July 2022 This historic development has since been echoed in Colombia and Mexico—a counterpoint to the common notion that Hispanic women are reflexively conservative in such matters. Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 The rug helps add a neutral counterpoint to the bold color. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 23 June 2022 Susan Burling Ward’s character is vivified and illuminated by Foote’s own writing; long passages taken from her memoir and letters provide a graceful counterpoint to Stegner’s often prosaic prose. Roxana Robinson, The New Yorker, 1 June 2022 Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 Mar. 2022 Her voice runs free to lead and counterpoint, to embroider around the notes and words, to demonstrate her power, her control, her mastery. Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 16 May 2021 But the very first bite reveals a very pleasing surprise: very subtle but noticeable hints of black pepper and cayenne, not too spicy at all but just enough to counterpoint and emphasize the delicious chocolaty flavor. Wolfgang Puck, chicagotribune.com, 11 Dec. 2019 The band’s true commitment is to counterpoint: to putting interlocking melody at every level of a song. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2020 Both Rick Owens and Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia were at their inventive best, pushing their silhouettes in new, avant-garde directions, while at Dries Van Noten and Alexander McQueen, flawless suiting was counterpointed by seductive flower prints. Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2019 Carpaccio di tonno — thin slices of ahi counterpointed by capers, olive oil and peppery arugula — was clean, simple and very good. Kate Washington, sacbee, 8 June 2018 Carolyn Holland, Ecotrust's vice president for communications, would not say what counterpoints the group has about the state's plan to claw back part of the tax credit. Hillary Borrud, OregonLive.com, 11 May 2018 Arendt’s sheer delight in intellectual speculation counterpoints her intense ethical commitment to thinking as a form of political engagement. George Prochnik, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2018 See More
Noun
There as here, words are placed in obvious counterpoint to images that plainly disprove them (and underscored with an irritatingly sarcastic music choice), all to serve the point that our narrator is self-evidently dishonest. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Aug. 2022 Irma Vep in counterpoint, superimposing images from the latter over the former. Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 The emotional toll of the pandemic sounded like a resonating chord through Raitt’s set, but often in counterpoint. Thom Duffy, Billboard, 22 June 2022 Two of the best turns offer a refreshing counterpoint to the occasional showing off. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2021 Because consumers power more than two-thirds of the economy, that willingness to spend has been held up as a key counterpoint to sentiments that the nation is barreling toward recession. Aaron Gregg, Washington Post, 26 July 2022 This historic development has since been echoed in Colombia and Mexico—a counterpoint to the common notion that Hispanic women are reflexively conservative in such matters. Andrew Cockburn, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 The rug helps add a neutral counterpoint to the bold color. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 23 June 2022 Susan Burling Ward’s character is vivified and illuminated by Foote’s own writing; long passages taken from her memoir and letters provide a graceful counterpoint to Stegner’s often prosaic prose. Roxana Robinson, The New Yorker, 1 June 2022 Verb
To counterpoint the home, decorated in shades of green, pink and ochre, her middle school had splashes of color incorporated in posters, particularly in Mei’s science and math clubs. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 Mar. 2022 Her voice runs free to lead and counterpoint, to embroider around the notes and words, to demonstrate her power, her control, her mastery. Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 16 May 2021 But the very first bite reveals a very pleasing surprise: very subtle but noticeable hints of black pepper and cayenne, not too spicy at all but just enough to counterpoint and emphasize the delicious chocolaty flavor. Wolfgang Puck, chicagotribune.com, 11 Dec. 2019 The band’s true commitment is to counterpoint: to putting interlocking melody at every level of a song. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2020 Both Rick Owens and Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia were at their inventive best, pushing their silhouettes in new, avant-garde directions, while at Dries Van Noten and Alexander McQueen, flawless suiting was counterpointed by seductive flower prints. Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2019 Carpaccio di tonno — thin slices of ahi counterpointed by capers, olive oil and peppery arugula — was clean, simple and very good. Kate Washington, sacbee, 8 June 2018 Carolyn Holland, Ecotrust's vice president for communications, would not say what counterpoints the group has about the state's plan to claw back part of the tax credit. Hillary Borrud, OregonLive.com, 11 May 2018 Arendt’s sheer delight in intellectual speculation counterpoints her intense ethical commitment to thinking as a form of political engagement. George Prochnik, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Middle French contrepoint, from Medieval Latin contrapunctus, from Latin contra- counter- + Medieval Latin punctus musical note, melody, from Latin, act of pricking, from pungere to prick — more at pungent
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Verb
1875, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing counterpoint
counterpoints
noun
as in contrasts
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. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- contrasts
- complements
- foils
- correlates
- supplements
- negations
- antitheses
- antonyms
- opposites
- counters
- mirror images
- inverses
- antipodes
- contraries
- negatives
- converses
- reverses
- obverses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- analogs
- analogues
- counterparts
- synonyms
- copies
- duplicates
- carbon copies
- replicas