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

also : the state of being so placed

contrasting shapes placed in juxtaposition to each other

juxtapositional

ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl

 

adjective

Examples of juxtaposition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These juxtapositions make the spaces breathe. —Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Apart The juxtaposition of the two events has been difficult to navigate. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025

And of course, to serve as cruel juxtaposition, deGrom retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the inning on just six pitches. —Tim Britton, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025

Colors and prints are inspired by his family’s Persian roots, and this East-West juxtaposition will be on full display in his spring collection, bringing together the glamorous style of Iranian songstress Googoosh with the clean lines of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. —Ari Stark, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 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