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

The juxtaposition of 2025 to 2000 belies the occasional peaks and longer stretches in the valley that the franchise has experienced in that time. —Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025

Scott Formby embraced the nature of a century-old house for a couple that prizes beautiful juxtapositions By John OrtvedPhotography by Jenna PeffleyStyled by Lisa Rowe May 28, 2025 All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. —John Ortved, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025

Their juxtaposition has become a kind of composition: The poem has become a kind of prose. —Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025

While tariffs, inflation and recession overwhelm headlines, there is even more need to counter-program even if this is a seemingly absurd juxtaposition. —Beth Ann Kaminkow, Forbes.com, 5 May 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