juxtapose
verb
jux·ta·pose
ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz 
juxtaposed; juxtaposing
: to place (different things) side by side (as to compare them or contrast them or to create an interesting effect)
juxtapose unexpected combinations of colors, shapes and ideas—
J. F. T. Bugental
J. F. T. Bugental
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Is juxtapose a back-formation?
A back-formation is a word that has come about through the removal of a prefix or a suffix from a longer word. Etymologists believe juxtapose is a back-formation that was created when people trimmed down the noun juxtaposition. Historical evidence supports the idea: juxtaposition shows up in the 17th century and juxtapose in the 19th. Juxtaposition is a combination of Latin juxta, meaning "near," and English "position."
Examples of juxtapose in a Sentence
a display that juxtaposes modern art with classical art
Recent Examples on the Web
Distressing on fabrics was juxtaposed with shiny silver leather, a nod to the city's grit and polish, courtesy of New York's newest glass monoliths.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
McDonald's worries are juxtaposed against a stock market hitting new highs on a daily basis on hopes a looser Fed will patch up any economic dislocations.
—John Melloy, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Others juxtapose the series of progressive-leaning ballot measures voters have approved to the fact that voters have also recently elected a majority of Republicans to every statewide office and both chambers of the General Assembly.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
In May, a sprawling bamboo scaffold was built in the courtyard of Venice’s Campo della Tana, as part of a showcase exploring the diverse and often juxtaposing aspects of public space in Hong Kong, with a focus on threatened heritage.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
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Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
McDonald's worries are juxtaposed against a stock market hitting new highs on a daily basis on hopes a looser Fed will patch up any economic dislocations.
—John Melloy, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Others juxtapose the series of progressive-leaning ballot measures voters have approved to the fact that voters have also recently elected a majority of Republicans to every statewide office and both chambers of the General Assembly.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
In May, a sprawling bamboo scaffold was built in the courtyard of Venice’s Campo della Tana, as part of a showcase exploring the diverse and often juxtaposing aspects of public space in Hong Kong, with a focus on threatened heritage.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
Cite this Entry
“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
juxtapose
verb
jux·ta·pose
ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz
juxtaposed; juxtaposing
: to place side by side
juxtaposition
noun
ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzish-ən
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