juxtapose

verb

jux·​ta·​pose ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz How to pronounce juxtapose (audio)
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 ideasJ. F. T. Bugental

Did you know?

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 The museum's works show his dynamic colors and symbols working together to form a dreamlike scenes with aren't expected to be juxtaposed, like a car in a tree or a tree blowing a horn. The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024 Kathryn’s elegant clothes are seemingly meant to juxtapose her inner mean girl during the film. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2024 To juxtapose it with the other characters, Margaret especially, is chaos. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 The raw, textured concrete on the walls is juxtaposed by a soft blue and white rug, a wooden Pierre Jeanneret desk, and sleek Donald Judd stools. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2024 That is juxtaposed to the 91 felony counts in nature, in tone, and in content. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2024 That style extends into the rooms, with rosewood bed headboards juxtaposing with wool curtains and leather details atop geometric carpets on parquet floors. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2024 The flowers juxtaposed with the thick, curb chain, are somehow timeless and opulent at the same time. Erika Veurink, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024 The color palette is peaches and creams juxtaposed with hues of tobacco, silver and gold. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'juxtapose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from juxtaposition

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of juxtapose was in 1851

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Dictionary Entries Near juxtapose

Cite this Entry

“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

juxtapose

verb
jux·​ta·​pose ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz How to pronounce juxtapose (audio)
juxtaposed; juxtaposing
: to place side by side
juxtaposition
ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzish-ən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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