antithetical

adjective

an·​ti·​thet·​i·​cal ˌan-tə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 

variants or less commonly antithetic

ˌan-tə-ˈthe-tik 

1

: being in direct and unequivocal opposition : directly opposite or opposed

… some see the idea of a museum for rock & roll as antithetical to the music's rebellious ethic …

—Al Weisel

2

: constituting or marked by antithesis

antithetical conflict

antithetically

ˌan-tə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Antithetical and antithesis come from the Greek verb antitithenai, meaning "to oppose." The oldest sense of antithesis refers to a language pattern that contrasts parallel ideas, as in "action, not words" or "they promised plenty and delivered scarcity," and antithetical originally referred to anything that was marked by such antithesis. For example, you could say that 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," as in "an idea antithetical to our stated goals."

Synonyms of antithetical

• contradictory
• opposite
• contrary

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

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

But is this quid pro quo arrangement maybe a bit antithetical to what the policy intends to do? — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 18 Aug. 2026

Although Christians often disapproved of Hoodoo, for many African Americans its practice has served as a particular, local, and lived expression of Christianity rather than something antithetical to it. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

The monk-to-entrepreneur pipeline has shocked some of his fans and followers who say making $21 million a year is antithetical to a monk lifestyle. — Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s outspoken opposition to the Jewish state, arguing that such positioning is antithetical to creating peace in the Middle East. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see antithesis

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for antithetical

• alphabetical
• arithmetical
• catechetical
• exegetical
• homiletical
• hypothetical
• parenthetical
• theoretical
• aesthetical
• genetical
• heretical
• magnetical

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