1
as in lawyers
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
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2
as in advisers
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
1
as in consults
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 guides
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 advises
to give advice to
perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in suggests
to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action
I would counsel caution and deliberation in this sensitive matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of counsels
Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
Email seeking comment were sent to the counsels of record for Westmed Medical Group.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
During the hearing, Ethics Committee counsels will present evidence that comes from the panel’s yearslong investigation into Cherfilus-McCormick, which was released in January.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
For fintech executives and general counsels, these developments signal a pivotal shift.
—Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
After taking office, Lee appointed three independent counsels to look into allegations involving Yoon, his wife and associates.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Sitting alongside our lawyers in our counsels, defending the state of Texas and having to put my name out there in defense of the state.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Tess wants to keep certain parts of the past secret from him—that way, Marjorie won’t relearn them—but Jon counsels candor.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
At its core, the dispute will help determine how much authority special counsels have, how transparent the Justice Department must be in politically sensitive investigations, and whether a sitting president can use the courts to keep findings about his own conduct from public view.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
De-stress on the daily Whether we're being sapped by parenting decisions, job hunting, health troubles or world weariness, many of us could use a charge to our internal battery, says clinical psychologist Enmanuel Mercedes, who counsels many (often exhausted) parents.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Oliver counsels Evan that Bree is very frightened and craves stability.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Shaziah Singh counsels public and private strategic buyers on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and debt transactions, and corporate matters.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Nicolas Thompson-Lleras, a Los Angeles attorney who counsels immigrants facing deportation, said two of his clients were registered under aliases at different hospitals in Los Angeles County last year.
—Claudia Boyd-Barrett, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Another letter by the Colorado County Clerks Association counsels the same.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
Licensed therapist Allison Guilbault, who counsels Gen Z clients in New York City, said splitting tabs, sharing Ubers and buying their own drinks has also become the standard.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Kelsey’s group has facilitated 234 face-to-face surrenders through its hotline, which counsels women who might want to surrender their babies, but just about 62 babies have been left in boxes since Kelsey started the organization, according to Kelly, the nurse and company representative.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
Under Florida law, anyone who aids, abets or counsels someone in the commission of a crime may be considered a principal in the first degree.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
Email seeking comment were sent to the counsels of record for Westmed Medical Group.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
During the hearing, Ethics Committee counsels will present evidence that comes from the panel’s yearslong investigation into Cherfilus-McCormick, which was released in January.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
For fintech executives and general counsels, these developments signal a pivotal shift.
—Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
After taking office, Lee appointed three independent counsels to look into allegations involving Yoon, his wife and associates.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Sitting alongside our lawyers in our counsels, defending the state of Texas and having to put my name out there in defense of the state.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Tess wants to keep certain parts of the past secret from him—that way, Marjorie won’t relearn them—but Jon counsels candor.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025
At its core, the dispute will help determine how much authority special counsels have, how transparent the Justice Department must be in politically sensitive investigations, and whether a sitting president can use the courts to keep findings about his own conduct from public view.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
Redberg, for example, counsels older patients about diet, exercise and weight loss but does not urge them to start medication to reduce a 135 systolic reading to below 120.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
De-stress on the daily Whether we're being sapped by parenting decisions, job hunting, health troubles or world weariness, many of us could use a charge to our internal battery, says clinical psychologist Enmanuel Mercedes, who counsels many (often exhausted) parents.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Oliver counsels Evan that Bree is very frightened and craves stability.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Shaziah Singh counsels public and private strategic buyers on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and debt transactions, and corporate matters.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Nicolas Thompson-Lleras, a Los Angeles attorney who counsels immigrants facing deportation, said two of his clients were registered under aliases at different hospitals in Los Angeles County last year.
—Claudia Boyd-Barrett, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Another letter by the Colorado County Clerks Association counsels the same.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
Licensed therapist Allison Guilbault, who counsels Gen Z clients in New York City, said splitting tabs, sharing Ubers and buying their own drinks has also become the standard.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Kelsey’s group has facilitated 234 face-to-face surrenders through its hotline, which counsels women who might want to surrender their babies, but just about 62 babies have been left in boxes since Kelsey started the organization, according to Kelly, the nurse and company representative.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counsels
Noun
-
The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The situation remained fluid as negotiators were still making minor changes Tuesday, and a team of lawyers and fiscal analysts need to cobble together the gigantic budget in the coming days before any votes are cast.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Francis also invited the female Anglican bishop, Jo Bailey Wells, into a private meeting of his cardinal advisers in 2024 to discuss the role of women in the Catholic Church.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Vance’s advisers, who spoke with us on the condition of anonymity, told us that the vice president has presented his concerns as his own rather than accusing Hegseth or Caine of misleading the president.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In practice, the CRTC routinely consults stakeholders on policy matters although the adequacy and meaningfulness of efforts to consult the general public is often contested by scholars and civil society practitioners.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Yet Silicon Valley consults the Catholic Church much more often than other religious institutions.—
Elias Wachtel,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Through the band members’ stories, Méndez guides readers expertly through a historical landscape that may be unfamiliar to them and examines thought-provoking ideas about art and protest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
This agency guides local school districts and also provides partial oversight.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Kara Alaimo is a professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University and advises parents, students and teachers on how to manage screen time.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The white mailbox out front advises that deliveries should go to the house next door.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Home teams win Game 7 nearly 75 percent of the time, and nothing about the current trajectory suggests this will be easy.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
History suggests that people who do not see themselves as part of the same community are liable to do almost anything to one another.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
More consumers are interested in healthy alternatives, and a stigma that once existed around sobriety is starting to vanish, Dave Williams, president of beverage alcohol industry consultants, Bump Williams, previously told USA TODAY.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Over months of reporting, Marcus spoke with dozens of clemency recipients, lawyers, historians, and the consultants offering clients their pardon expertise.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The act confers additional deduction benefits for overtime hours.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The man received a bone marrow donation from his brother, who has a rare genetic mutation called CCR5Δ32 that confers resistance to HIV-1, the most common type of human immunodeficiency virus.—
Emma Gometz,
Scientific American,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Counsels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counsels. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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