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
In many ways, that scene kind of represents the entire show, or at least what our intention was with it, something ridiculous juxtaposed with something, hopefully, very real.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Designed by Hot Lab, the interiors are a study in contrast, with marble and precious stones playing against soft fabrics and neutral tones juxtaposed with bold splashes of color and pop art.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
Or, hurry and get your hands on Prada’s brown suede bowling bag, which looks chic juxtaposed against Zara’s slip dress.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
Trace Adkins' Scott Brickell asks as scenes of the band's rise are juxtaposed with Bart facing his personal demons.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
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Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Designed by Hot Lab, the interiors are a study in contrast, with marble and precious stones playing against soft fabrics and neutral tones juxtaposed with bold splashes of color and pop art.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
Or, hurry and get your hands on Prada’s brown suede bowling bag, which looks chic juxtaposed against Zara’s slip dress.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
Trace Adkins' Scott Brickell asks as scenes of the band's rise are juxtaposed with Bart facing his personal demons.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 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 6 Nov. 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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