variants
or diametrical
as in contradictory
being as different as possible
that husband and wife have seemingly diametric personalities, but somehow their marriage works
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Recent Examples of diametric
But the less obvious stimuli for weeping can also be seen as the diametrical opposites of the things that make a joke funny.
—
Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Its diametrical opposite might be the epigraph, the upfront citation, not relegated to footnote or endnote and often in italics — a phenomenon no one could fail to observe.
—Elisa Gabbert, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Since the advent of the Patrick Mahomes Era, the Chiefs are 15-3 in the postseason — a diametric contrast for a franchise that had won just one of its previous 12 playoff games and tormented its fan base into what might be called rational paranoia.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2025
Since President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race, American voters now face an unusual choice between two candidates who are almost diametric opposites – people who are different in nearly every way.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 25 July 2024
The British Academy's judgements are sometimes in agreement with those of the American Academy, and occasionally in diametric opposition — which is precisely their prismatic value as an Oscars handicapping tool.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
In Duchenne, new data bring a familiar debate This week’s news that Sarepta Therapeutics’ gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy missed its main goal in a pivotal study has drawn diametric reactions.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 2 Nov. 2023
Ray’s other girlfriend, Felicia, responds to his sudden absence in diametric fashion, making for a staggeringly insightful and deeply poignant journey.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2023
But greater volume is diametric to exclusivity, and as the price points inevitably lowered, so did the level of prestige.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2023
Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Its diametrical opposite might be the epigraph, the upfront citation, not relegated to footnote or endnote and often in italics — a phenomenon no one could fail to observe.
—Elisa Gabbert, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Since the advent of the Patrick Mahomes Era, the Chiefs are 15-3 in the postseason — a diametric contrast for a franchise that had won just one of its previous 12 playoff games and tormented its fan base into what might be called rational paranoia.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2025
Since President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race, American voters now face an unusual choice between two candidates who are almost diametric opposites – people who are different in nearly every way.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 25 July 2024
The British Academy's judgements are sometimes in agreement with those of the American Academy, and occasionally in diametric opposition — which is precisely their prismatic value as an Oscars handicapping tool.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
In Duchenne, new data bring a familiar debate This week’s news that Sarepta Therapeutics’ gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy missed its main goal in a pivotal study has drawn diametric reactions.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 2 Nov. 2023
Ray’s other girlfriend, Felicia, responds to his sudden absence in diametric fashion, making for a staggeringly insightful and deeply poignant journey.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2023
But greater volume is diametric to exclusivity, and as the price points inevitably lowered, so did the level of prestige.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diametric
Adjective
-
Domestic abuse cases spark outrage in China A series of high-profile domestic abuse cases in China has sparked outrage, and exposed Beijing’s seemingly contradictory attitude toward violence against women.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
While their vocations may seem contradictory, their love is born in faith, rooted in romance, and is much more than meets the eye.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
And the back part of that is that the most fun is getting to act opposite people who are incredibly good, which is true for this cast.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Some Democrats criticized it, too, though for opposite reasons.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But a sleight of hand is at work; the maybes of one chapter become the assumptions of the next, and at times contrary evidence is entirely ignored.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
-
So, a bit more about that unpopular, contrary sentiment.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diametric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diametric. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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