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
The upcoming show will magnify the dressed body — and that means all types of bodies, not just model-worthy ones — by juxtaposing objects from the museum’s collection with a sampling of historical and contemporary garments from the Costume Institute’s 33,000 items.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
These two parts are juxtaposed with a third, the remarkable photo essay that runs the length of the book, in always fascinating, illuminating, at times devastating, relation to the prose.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The film follows a team determined to uncover the woman — chasing clues, rumors, and myths to reveal the real Sally Hansen, while juxtaposing her untold story against today’s global nail obsession.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
His only book, Portraits in Life and Death (1976), juxtaposed photos of people in his circle and with images of ancient corpses in the Palermo catacombs.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
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Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
These two parts are juxtaposed with a third, the remarkable photo essay that runs the length of the book, in always fascinating, illuminating, at times devastating, relation to the prose.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
The film follows a team determined to uncover the woman — chasing clues, rumors, and myths to reveal the real Sally Hansen, while juxtaposing her untold story against today’s global nail obsession.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
His only book, Portraits in Life and Death (1976), juxtaposed photos of people in his circle and with images of ancient corpses in the Palermo catacombs.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 7 Nov. 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 24 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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