juxtaposition

noun

Synonyms of juxtapositionnext
: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect
an unusual juxtaposition of colors
The juxtaposition of Holly's career with the content of her podcast might leave audience members scratching their heads.Nick Kasmik
also : the state of being so placed
contrasting shapes placed in juxtaposition to each other
A five-minute ferry ride from Brooklyn and Manhattan, [Governor's Island] feels distant yet impossibly close, and the juxtaposition of vertical city and languorous landscape is almost surreal. Justin Davidson

Examples of juxtaposition in a Sentence

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.
Meanwhile, a juxtaposition of the subtle sweetness of water lily and jasmine adds further complexity. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026 The juxtaposition of the game’s simple, rounded characters against the realistic vegetation was strange at first, but there's a genuine charm to the game's clashing aesthetic. Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 The past-present juxtapositions—of bodies, circumstances, attitudes, and even film stock—made for a sly and poignant ode to (or lament over) time’s passage. Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 The crash landed the same day JPMorgan and Goldman posted blowout earnings, a juxtaposition that economist Steve Hanke said was evidence of two bubbles. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for juxtaposition

Word History

Etymology

Latin juxta near + English position — more at joust

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of juxtaposition was in 1654

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Juxtaposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtaposition. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Medical Definition

juxtaposition

noun
: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side
also : the state of being so placed
juxtapose transitive verb
juxtaposed; juxtaposing

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