juxtapose

verb jux·ta·pose \ ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of juxtapose

juxtaposed; juxtaposing

transitive verb

: 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

See juxtapose defined for English-language learners

See juxtapose defined for kids

juxtapose was our Word of the Day on 04/25/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of juxtapose in a Sentence

a display that juxtaposes modern art with classical art

Recent Examples of juxtapose from the Web

Five hundred sixty-two people juxtaposed against everyone who has ever lived in the history of this planet.

— zach baron, GQ, "The Astronaut Who Stars in the Craziest Show on Cable," 11 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, the position of some owners categorizing peaceful protests as unfit political statements for the NFL stage rings hollow when juxtaposed against the manner in which the league wraps itself in the flag.

— jarrett bell, USA TODAY, "Head games: Rule confusion once again reigns in NFL's unclear world," 29 Mar. 2018
At the ceremony, the 15-year-old actor wore minimal makeup that was juxtaposed by her hairstyle: a low ponytail featuring a strip of black fabric that wrapped around her strands like a bandage.

— karina hoshikawa, Teen Vogue, "How to Get Sadie Sink's Hairstyle From the 2018 Kids’ Choice Awards," 26 Mar. 2018
Many of Dickinson’s poems juxtapose the infinitely large and the infinitesimally small in ways that make your head spin.

— ellen wayland-smith, Longreads, "Death Rattle: The Body’s Betrayals," 21 Mar. 2018
The quote Wade is famous for at YAT juxtaposes his sense of discipline and concern for students.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "A teacher shot heroin 500 days in a row. His passion for theater helped him get clean.," 28 Feb. 2018
The day juxtaposed new year’s joy and anti-deportation activism, providing a snapshot of how the nation’s immigration policies are rapidly changing and how some of the most vulnerable people are responding – and resisting.

— jeff gammage, Philly.com, "In South Philly, Tet arrives with joy for the new year - and worry over ICE enforcement," 11 Feb. 2018
This is the conundrum around player safety, juxtaposed against the NFL presenting its more marketable product.

— andrew brandt, SI.com, "NFL Offseason Is in Business: 10 Storylines to Watch," 6 Feb. 2018
The story of the Jews' exodus from Egypt 3,000 years ago was juxtaposed against the plight of today's refugees, migrants, and displaced peoples around the world.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Community Seder Celebrates Interfaith Connections," 29 Mar. 2018

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

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 think juxtapose is a back-formation that was created when people trimmed down the noun juxtaposition. Historical evidence supports the idea: juxtaposition was showing up in English documents as early as 1654, but juxtapose didn't appear until 1851. Juxtaposition is itself thought to be a combination of Latin juxta, meaning "near," and English position.

Origin and Etymology of juxtapose

probably back-formation from juxtaposition

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First Known Use: 1851

in the meaning defined above

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JUXTAPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

juxtapose

verb

Definition of juxtapose for English Language Learners

: to place (different things) together in order to create an interesting effect or to show how they are the same or different

Learn More about juxtapose

See words that rhyme with juxtapose Spanish Central: Translation of juxtapose Nglish: Translation of juxtapose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of juxtapose for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

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juxtapose

Definition of juxtapose

juxtapose was our Word of the Day on 04/25/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of juxtapose in a Sentence

Recent Examples of juxtapose from the Web

Is juxtapose a Back-formation?

Origin and Etymology of juxtapose

JUXTAPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

juxtapose

Definition of juxtapose for English Language Learners

Learn More about juxtapose

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juxtapose

Definition of juxtapose

juxtapose was our Word of the Day on 04/25/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of juxtapose in a Sentence

Recent Examples of juxtapose from the Web

Is juxtapose a Back-formation?

Origin and Etymology of juxtapose

JUXTAPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

juxtapose

Definition of juxtapose for English Language Learners

Learn More about juxtapose

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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Words at Play

Ask the Editors

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'Rather Than': Is It a Conjunction or Preposition?

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Janelle Monáe Out as 'Pansexual'

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