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
This is juxtaposed against the perfectly crisp signature Brooklinen percale.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Artist Hyunhee Kim, whose reimagining of traditional Korean furniture juxtaposes ornate structure and space, contributed multiple creative accents to the Ferrari 12Cilindri Tailor Made.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026
The film juxtaposes intimate vérité of Yo’s last year with Anna’s creative interpretations of Yo’s dramatic life stories.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
This is especially true when it’s juxtaposed against a sense inside the locker room that the Eagles’ powerbrokers (Sirianni, general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie) are reluctant to criticize Hurts.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
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Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Artist Hyunhee Kim, whose reimagining of traditional Korean furniture juxtaposes ornate structure and space, contributed multiple creative accents to the Ferrari 12Cilindri Tailor Made.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026
The film juxtaposes intimate vérité of Yo’s last year with Anna’s creative interpretations of Yo’s dramatic life stories.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
This is especially true when it’s juxtaposed against a sense inside the locker room that the Eagles’ powerbrokers (Sirianni, general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie) are reluctant to criticize Hurts.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
Cite this Entry
“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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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