counsel

1 of 4

noun (1)

coun·​sel ˈkau̇n(t)-səl How to pronounce counsel (audio)
Synonyms of counsel
1
a
: advice given especially as a result of consultation
He was unwise to reject my counsel.
b
: a policy or plan of action or behavior
2
: deliberation, consultation
3
a
archaic : purpose
b
: guarded thoughts or intentions
He was chary and given to keeping his own counsel.
4
a plural counsel
(1)
: a lawyer engaged in the trial or management of a case in court
(2)
: a lawyer appointed to advise and represent in legal matters an individual client or a corporate and especially a public body
b
: consultant sense 2

counsel

2 of 4

verb

counseled or counselled; counseling or counselling ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce counsel (audio) ; counsels

transitive verb

: advise
… counselled them to avoid rash actions …—George Orwell

intransitive verb

: consult
… I remember Englishmen, like the Colensos, who sat and counseled with us; but above all, I remember Coleridge-Taylor.—W. E. B. Du Bois

counseling

3 of 4

noun (2)

coun·​sel·​ing ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce counseling (audio)
variants or counselling
: professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes
career counseling for high schoolers
counseling for drug addicts

counseling

4 of 4

present participle of counsel entry 2

Synonyms of counsel

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Noun (1)

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of counsel in a Sentence

Noun (1) We seek counsel from the rich and powerful to learn their secret … —Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Feb. 2004
God had done a poor job, and Soaphead suspected that he himself could have done better. It was in fact a pity that the Maker had not sought his counsel. —Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye, (1970) 1994
No matter how much time he is given, counsel would always like more, but the Chief Justice will not grant an extra minute unless the lawyer is responding to a question from the bench. —Robert H. Bork, The Tempting Of America, 1990
Counsel were to be employed.  … And when the matter had been decided by the lawyers, Lord Fawn was to express his regret for having suspected his lady-love! —Anthony Trollope, The Eustace Diamonds, 1871
You were unwise to reject my counsel. The student sought counsel from her teacher. She is serving as counsel for the defendant. All counsel are expected to obey the rules of the court. Verb He balked at authority and, according to Mr. Green, tuned you out if you tried to counsel him. —David Grann, New Republic, 14 Feb. 2000
She had six children, whom she counseled and with great wisdom and patience. —Erma Bombeck, The Best of Bombeck, (1965) 1967
I had counselled Catherine to dine upstairs, but as soon as he perceived her vacant seat he sent me to call her. —Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847
He counsels people who are trying to quit drinking. concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community Noun (2) She is receiving counseling to cope with the death of her husband. The college offers career counseling.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
With loans, there is an expectation that the campaign — using donor funds — will pay the candidate back, said Shanna Ports, a senior legal counsel for the nonpartisan watchdog group Campaign Legal Center. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 And talk to employment counsel early, especially with a legal threat on the table. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
That number lumps new deadbot platforms in with much more widely used and established grief tech, like online memorials, counseling resources, and estate planning tools. — Lissa Soep, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026 Of course, one is inevitably loaded with expectations and prejudices, but the ideal of letting the work teach you how to consider it, as the philosopher Stanely Cavell counseled, is a useful starting point. — Lola Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
The best credit counseling services Thinking about bankruptcy? — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 The center regularly meets with students to provide support through things like spiritual counseling free SAT prep. — Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counsel

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1), Verb, and Noun (2)

Middle English conseil, from Anglo-French cunseil, from Latin consilium, from consulere to consult

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counsel was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing counsel

Rhymes for counsel

See All Rhymes for counsel

Browse Nearby Words

councilwoman
counsel
counselable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counsel. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

counsel

1 of 2 noun
coun·​sel ˈkau̇n(t)-səl How to pronounce counsel (audio)
1
: advice given
2
: the act of deliberating or consulting
took counsel together
3
plural counsel : a lawyer who represents a person or group in a court of law

counsel

2 of 2 verb
counseled or counselled; counseling or counselling
-s(ə-)liŋ
1
: to give advice to
counsel a student on a choice of studies
2
: to seek advice : consult
counsel with friends

Medical Definition

counsel

1 of 2 noun
coun·​sel ˈkau̇n(t)-səl How to pronounce counsel (audio)
: advice given especially as a result of consultation

counsel

2 of 2 transitive verb
counseled or counselled; counseling or counselling -s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce counsel (audio)
: to advise especially seriously and formally after consultation

Legal Definition

counsel

1 of 2 noun
coun·​sel ˈkau̇n-səl How to pronounce counsel (audio)
plural counsel
: lawyer: as
a
: a lawyer participating in the management or trial of a case in court
…to have the assistance of counsel for his defense—U.S. Constitution amend. VI
a right to counsel
b
: a lawyer appointed or engaged to advise or represent a client in legal matters (as negotiations or the drafting of documents) compare attorney

Note: A judge who has acted as counsel in a matter (as by advising an investigator) is disqualified from hearing the case.

counsel

2 of 2 transitive verb
counseled or counselled; counseling or counselling
: advise
Etymology

Noun

Old French conseil advice, from Latin consilium discussion, advice, council, from consulere to consult

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