contrapuntal

adjective

con·​tra·​pun·​tal ˌkän-trə-ˈpən-tᵊl How to pronounce contrapuntal (audio)
1
2
: of, relating to, or marked by counterpoint
contrapuntally adverb

Examples of contrapuntal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her work, which has grown in acuity and emotional power, combines the complications of German and Soviet history with the lives of her characters, including those of her own family members, whose experiences echo with the past like contrapuntal music. Steven Erlanger, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024 The story’s romance is warmly inviting, and DiCaprio and Gladstone work beautifully together, their different performance styles — Ernest is physically demonstrative while Mollie is reserved — creating a contrapuntal whole. Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023 With its emphasis on virtuosity and advanced harmonies and contrapuntal rhythms, be-bop required the utmost skill and dedication. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2024 The globe-hopping artist packed his already dense pictures with contrapuntal flourishes and sometimes incorporated diaristic text written in a tight, distinctive style. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for contrapuntal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contrapuntal.' 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

Italian contrappunto counterpoint, from Medieval Latin contrapunctus — more at counterpoint entry 1

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contrapuntal was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near contrapuntal

Cite this Entry

“Contrapuntal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrapuntal. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

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