Definition of antithesis
antitheses
play \-ˌsēz\1a : 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 versec : the second of two opposing words, clauses, or sentences that are being rhetorically contrasted
2 philosophy : the second stage of a dialectical process
From the M-W Editors
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 of antithesis from the Web
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Real Madrid is the antithesis of much of modern soccer’s dominant thinking.
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Chris was so the antithesis of that voice in his quiet, reserved way.
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But this is the antithesis of how Maes views agents.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antithesis'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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.
Origin and Etymology of antithesis
Late Latin, from Greek, literally, opposition, from antitithenai to oppose, from anti- + tithenai to set — more at do
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
ANTITHESIS Defined for English Language Learners
antithesis
playDefinition of antithesis for English Language Learners
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: the exact opposite of something or someone
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: the state of two things that are directly opposite to each other
ANTITHESIS Defined for Kids
antithesis
playDefinition of antithesis for Students
antitheses
\-ə-ˌsēz\: the exact opposite Poverty is the antithesis of wealth.
Learn More about antithesis
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for antithesis Spanish Central: Translation of antithesis Nglish: Translation of antithesis for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of antithesis for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antithesis
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