juxtaposition

noun

jux·​ta·​po·​si·​tion ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-shən 

: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect

an unusual juxtaposition of colors

The juxtaposition of Holly's career with the content of her podcast might leave audience members scratching their heads.

—Nick Kasmik

also : the state of being so placed

contrasting shapes placed in juxtaposition to each other

A five-minute ferry ride from Brooklyn and Manhattan, [Governor's Island] feels distant yet impossibly close, and the juxtaposition of vertical city and languorous landscape is almost surreal.

—Justin Davidson

juxtapositional

ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of juxtaposition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Working within the song’s duration forced Shawver to create implicit meaning through juxtaposition. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2025

Miracle’s pop-up residing above Rockhill Grille makes for some great juxtaposition with some of its visitors. —Kansas City Star, 20 Dec. 2025

With a Sporty Jacket Similar to the wrong shoe theory, this skirt outfit relies on playful juxtaposition. —Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2025

Crafted with aluminum legs that support a solid wood frame, this model is a juxtaposition of concreteness and whimsy. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin juxta near + English position — more at joust

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for juxtaposition

• academician
• cycloaddition
• decomposition
• diagnostician
• disinhibition
• indisposition
• interposition
• mathematician
• metacognition
• metaphysician
• neurotransmission
• nonrecognition

Medical Definition

juxtaposition

noun

jux·​ta·​po·​si·​tion ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzish-ən 

: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side

also : the state of being so placed

juxtapose

ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz 

transitive verb

juxtaposed; juxtaposing