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 clip juxtaposes plenty of action and comedy as Gibbs, Franks, and company bust heads out in the field and back in the office.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Neeson’s serious demeanor juxtaposed with the playful density and bizarre escapades of his crime fighting character make for a uproarious comedy, true to the Zucker Brothers’ original tone.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
The idea of 24 frames a second, something that is hard to grasp, but in this sequence, in this flow, becomes a seamless moving picture is juxtaposed with with this gas inside of this tube which becomes an eternal glow.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Flacco is an actual statue juxtaposed with Jackson.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
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Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Neeson’s serious demeanor juxtaposed with the playful density and bizarre escapades of his crime fighting character make for a uproarious comedy, true to the Zucker Brothers’ original tone.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
The idea of 24 frames a second, something that is hard to grasp, but in this sequence, in this flow, becomes a seamless moving picture is juxtaposed with with this gas inside of this tube which becomes an eternal glow.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025
Flacco is an actual statue juxtaposed with Jackson.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 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 14 Oct. 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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