antithesis

noun

an·​tith·​e·​sis an-ˈti-thə-səs How to pronounce antithesis (audio)
plural antitheses an-ˈti-thə-ˌsēz How to pronounce antithesis (audio)
1
a
: the direct opposite
Her temperament is the very antithesis of mine.
b(1)
: the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences (as in "action, not words" or "they promised freedom and provided slavery")
(2)
: opposition, contrast
the antithesis of prose and verse
c
: the second of two opposing words, clauses, or sentences that are being rhetorically contrasted
2
philosophy : the second stage of a dialectical process

Did you know?

Writers and speechmakers use the traditional pattern known as antithesis for its resounding effect; John Kennedy's famous "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" is an example. But antithesis normally means simply "opposite". Thus, war is the antithesis of peace, wealth is the antithesis of poverty, and love is the antithesis of hate. Holding two antithetical ideas in one's head at the same time—for example, that you're the sole master of your fate but also the helpless victim of your terrible upbringing—is so common as to be almost normal.

Examples of antithesis in a Sentence

In urban areas, middle schools often became the antithesis of what reformers had intended. Instead of warm incubators of independence and judgment, they became impersonal, oppressive institutions. Claudia Wallis, Time, 8 Aug. 2005
Yet the newest residential rage in Dallas is the antithesis of the traditional neighborhood: the gated community. Depending on your income and level of anxiety, these private enclaves may contain golf courses, health clubs and equestrian centers … Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004
Cato, who dosed his family on cabbage soup, derided Greek physicians as the antithesis of Roman virtue: they were frauds who cheated patients and 'have sworn to kill all barbarians with their drugs'. Roy Porter, The Greatest Benefit to Mankind, 1997
true love for another is the antithesis of the desire to control that person's life
Recent Examples on the Web A little bit of hit and giggle, which is the antithesis of Test matches - named aptly because even sitting through five days of cricket can be a test of patience and willpower for a match that can last a working week and still end in a draw. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 The antithesis to the complicated and the high-tech, such simple machines represent the best of what driving can be. Charlie Thomas, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2024 It’s called cozy cardio, and it’s meant to be the antithesis to punishing, intense workouts that leave you panting and soaked in sweat. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2023 Embracing Continuous Learning In the realm of leadership, stagnation is the antithesis of success. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 To be remembered for opposition to slavery — that evil institution, the antithesis of freedom — is a great and blessed way. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Dec. 2023 The antithesis of an oversized coffee-table tome devoted to priceless classics or unobtainable supercars, Tales from the Garage is a modest, 136-page softcover whose every chapter shares a personal vignette, often with subjects far less grandiose than Bugattis or Ferraris. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023 Yet one of the biggest rock albums of 2023 has served as an antithesis to Wenner’s claim, as the indie-rock supergroup boygenius dominated the space this year. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 12 Nov. 2023 Instant Noodle Factory 24-11 41st Ave, Queens Soups start at $3.25 For many Americans, instant noodles might seem like the antithesis of a restaurant food: a punch line, the cheapest of the cheap eats, the culinary provenance of the broke and the dorm-dwelling. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antithesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, opposition, from antitithenai to oppose, from anti- + tithenai to set — more at do

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of antithesis was in 1529

Dictionary Entries Near antithesis

Cite this Entry

“Antithesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antithesis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

antithesis

noun
an·​tith·​e·​sis an-ˈtith-ə-səs How to pronounce antithesis (audio)
plural antitheses -ˈtith-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce antithesis (audio)
: the exact opposite : contrary
antithetical
ˌant-ə-ˈthet-i-kəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on antithesis

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