1
as in lawyer
a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations
if you cannot afford counsel, one will be provided for you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in advice
an opinion suggesting a wise or proper course of action
I suggest you take the teacher's counsel
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in adviser
a person who gives advice especially professionally
the toy manufacturer hired a public relations counsel to do some damage control
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in consult
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
she approved the move after a counsel with her advisers
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem
concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to guide
to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed
every year the admissions officer counsels thousands of students about the process of applying to college
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to advise
to give advice to
perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counsel
Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025
What To Know Washington, D.C. Judge Tanya Chutkan oversaw special counsel Jack Smith's election fraud indictment against Donald Trump.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
Her time — once spent counseling others and reading addiction research — was suddenly empty.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Noun
Before taking office, President Trump's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director — Project 2025 architect Russell Vought — and OMB general counsel Mark Paoletta were both very vocal that the president can and should take unilateral actions to cut spending.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Feb. 2025
What To Know Washington, D.C. Judge Tanya Chutkan oversaw special counsel Jack Smith's election fraud indictment against Donald Trump.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
My pattern was to decide never, ever, ever to drink again; bump up against that first-sip craving; and then counsel myself to chill out, take the sip, don't be a perfectionist.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
Her time — once spent counseling others and reading addiction research — was suddenly empty.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsel
Noun
-
The New York man charged with what police said was a racially motivated attack of a Black hotel clerk in Mystic nearly four years ago has filed a lawsuit seeking $500,000 from his former lawyers.—
Greg Smith,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2025
-
One of their former lawyers now works as a liaison between the White House and the Justice Department.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Why Yapping With Your Friends Is So Good For Your Mental Health Get more of SELF's great friendship advice delivered right to your inbox—for free.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Today, the 1636 Forum’s reports serve in part as action memos for the donor class, with advice on restricting or channelling giving to help guide the university’s course.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
An adviser of President Donald Trump has said there will be cuts in the administration of Medicaid to reduce fraud.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Steve Bannon, a former White House adviser and a leading MAGA figure, broadcast his War Room podcast live from CPAC, and spent more than an hour afterward signing autographs and posing for pictures.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Robby wants Samira to stop stalling on calling for a psych consult, but Samira sees the woman’s hand tremors and hears about her coordination issues and has a hunch this isn’t a psych case.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Disclosure statement Praveen Arany consults for Wndrhlth and has cofounded two companies, OptiMed Technologies and Directed Energy Therapeutics.—
Praveen Arany,
The Conversation,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
While many people with genetic mutations may never get cancer, these mutations, if found, confer a higher risk of disease.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Rejecting the value that AI can confer simply because AI-only outputs aren’t perfect is a costly mistake—one that will only become more expensive over time.—
Andrew Allen,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Her work also helped outline the government’s strategy and priorities in the National AI Research and Development Strategic Roadmap – meant to guide the direction of AI research.—
Sara Lindsay,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Smith was hired in the summer of 2021 and guided the Utes to a 65-62 overall record, failing to make an NCAA Tournament appearance.—
The Athletic College Basketball Staff,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Community bankers are advocating for fewer regulations, while Federal Reserve officials advise a balance between consumer protection and economic growth.—
Russ Wiles,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
-
But several national security agencies, including the FBI, and multiple other federal departments advised staffers not to respond to the email immediately, suggesting that the broader executive branch was not informed of nor prepared for the demand.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In the final shot of Mullen standing by the water, De Niro's face suggests so much: regret, worry, or even satisfaction with what he's done.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The experts also suggest washing sweaters made of protein fibers and synthetic material (acrylic, nylon and others) separately. Put them in a mesh bag and wash with cold water only.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to counsel
Cite this Entry
“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsel. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share