Antithetic Definition & Meaning

Choose the Right Synonym for antithetical

opposite, contradictory, contrary, antithetical mean being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable. opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict. opposite views on foreign aid contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid. made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition. contrary assessments of the war situation antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition. a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

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Antithetical and antithesis come from Greek antitithenai ("to oppose"). The oldest sense of antithesis refers to a language pattern that contrasts parallel ideas, as in "action, not words" or "they promised freedom and provided slavery," and antithetical originally referred to anything that was marked by such antithesis. For example, you could say "The phrase 'action, not words' is an antithetical construction." It is more common, however, for antithesis to mean "the exact opposite" and for antithetical to mean "directly opposite."

Examples of antithetical in a Sentence

the antithetical forces of good and evil spiritual concerns and ideals that are antithetical to the materialism embraced by modern society

Recent Examples on the Web The mission behind their platforms is antithetical to traditional social media marketing tactics. — Lucy Brewster, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2022 But guarantees need not be antithetical to competition nor a dilution of the product. — Eamon Lynch, USA TODAY, 24 July 2022 And both those moments, ironically, were diametrically antithetical to each other. — Deepa Mehta, Variety, 16 May 2022 Make no mistake: Monopoly power is directly antithetical to the promise of a free and open internet. — Evan Greer For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, 10 May 2022 Nothing could be more antithetical to the image the star had carefully cultivated over more than three decades of blockbuster movies, hit singles and an abundance of successful side projects. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 Few brands could claim to be more antithetical to the Soviet ethos — or emblematic of the Western alternative. — Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2022 For her, the phenomenon of ostracizing, bullying and boycotting someone for a mistake, however gross or loathsome, is fundamentally antithetical to Christ’s teachings of compassion and forgiveness. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2022 That quality’s in abundance in the Day-Lewis anecdote; the remark is both literally concise and implies that doing too much as an actor is almost antithetical to the whole activity. — Jo Livingstone, The New Republic, 27 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antithetical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.