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Counterpart vs Alternative - What's the difference?

counterpart | alternative |

As nouns the difference between counterpart and alternative

is that counterpart is either of two parts that fit together, or complement one another while alternative is a situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.

As an adjective alternative is

relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.

counterpart

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Either of two parts that fit together, or complement one another.
    • ''Those brass knobs and their hollow counterparts interlock perfectly
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012, date=November 7, author=Matt Bai, title=Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds, work=New York Times citation
    • , passage=Mr. Obama never found a generational counterpart among conservatives in Congress like Paul D. Ryan or Eric Cantor; instead, there was a mutual animosity.}}
  • (legal) A duplicate of a legal document.
  • One which resembles another
  • One which has corresponding functions or characteristics.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 12 , author= , title=International friendly: England 1-0 Spain , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=England's attacking impetus was limited to one shot from Lampard that was comfortably collected by keeper Iker Casillas, but for all Spain's domination of the ball his England counterpart Joe Hart was unemployed.}}

    Synonyms

    * equivalent * opposite number * pendant

    Related terms

    * counterbalance * counterpoint * countersign * counterweight * partner

    alternative

    English

    (wikipedia alternative)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities
    • an alternative proposition
  • Not traditional, outside the mainstream, underground (e.g., alternative medicine, alternative lifestyle, (alternative rock)).
  • Other.
  • alternate; reciprocal
    • (Holland)

    Derived terms

    * alternative dispute resolution * alternative energy * alternative lifestyle * alternative medicine * alternative press * alternative vote

    Related terms

    * alternate * alternativeness * alternativism

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.
  • * 1817 , (Walter Scott), Rob Roy , XI:
    • ‘The cloister or a betrothed husband?’ I echoed—‘Is that the alternative destined for Miss Vernon?’
  • One of several mutually exclusive things which can be chosen.
  • The remaining option; something available after other possibilities have been exhausted.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    See also

    *

    References

    * * ----