counterpoint

1 of 2

noun

coun·​ter·​point ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌpȯint How to pronounce counterpoint (audio)
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 2

verb

counterpointed; counterpointing; counterpoints

transitive verb

1
: to set off or emphasize by juxtaposition : set in contrast
counterpoints the public and the private manTom Bishop
2
: to compose or arrange in counterpoint

Examples of counterpoint in a Sentence

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
Noun
Nebraska seemed poised last month to become an unlikely counterpoint to the national trend of tightening drug laws. Mitch Smith, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The novel invites anxiety and paranoia about who is human, even as the counterpoint melody suggests that androids do have dreams, and do feel love. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2024 Here’s a counterpoint: Who’s cares who the Vikings start at quarterback? Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2024 As a powerful counterpoint, later editions of the book noted the waves of women in the Arab Spring uprisings in North Africa and elsewhere. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 The goal was to offer a counterpoint to rich, heavy, holiday-season food. Ellie Pithers, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Along with his youth and youthful appeal, Robin was an invigorating counterpoint to Batman, and gave Batman someone to talk to. Josh Weiss, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 As a counterpoint to the critical scrutiny of Neruda’s life and work, a very different type of revision was litigated in court, this time focussed on his death. Graciela Mochkofsky, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024 Noah has consistently offered a clear counterpoint to that in his Grammy appearances, giving the impression of relishing his front-row seat. Brian Lowry, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024
Verb
The design inspiration will be European throughout the home, featuring a paint palette that is white and shades of gray that are visually counterpointed with wood accents and matte black pulls, door handles, and shower and bath fixtures. John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2023 Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question displayed Geffen’s ability to project edge-of-audibility string sounds, punctuated by four flutes in a side balcony and counterpointed by a very quiet trumpet toward the back of the audience. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 30 Mar. 2023 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterpoint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterpoint was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near counterpoint

Cite this Entry

“Counterpoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterpoint. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

counterpoint

noun
coun·​ter·​point
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌpȯint
1
: one or more independent melodies added as accompaniment to a principal melody
2
: combination of two or more melodies into a harmony in which each keeps its own identity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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