counterpoint
/ˈkaʊntərˌpɔɪnt/
verb
- To emphasize or highlight something by contrast or opposition.
- In the debate, her calm arguments counterpointed his aggressive tone.
- The director counterpoints scenes of violence with moments of quiet reflection.
- The bright red flowers counterpointed the gray stone wall beautifully.
- In music, to write or perform in counterpoint; to combine melodies.
- In this piece, the violins counterpoint the piano's simple chords.
- The composer counterpoints the flute melody with a cello line.
- They counterpointed the main theme with a secondary tune in the background.
noun
- A contrasting element, idea, or theme that adds interest or emphasis when compared or combined with another.
- The quiet countryside was a perfect counterpoint to the noisy city life.
- Her cheerful personality served as a counterpoint to his serious nature.
- The author uses humor as a counterpoint to the tragic events in the story.
- In music, the technique of combining two or more independent melodies into a single harmonious composition.
- Learning counterpoint is essential for any composer who wants to write rich, layered music.
- Bach's fugues are famous for their complex counterpoint.
- The choir sang in counterpoint, with each voice following its own melody.
Synonyms