juxtaposition

noun

jux·​ta·​po·​si·​tion ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce juxtaposition (audio)
: 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
 How to pronounce juxtaposition (audio)
adjective

Examples of juxtaposition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sometimes, it was described as fantastical, depicting unrealistic and strange juxtapositions, as though the black people in his paintings had wandered into a genre or set of conditions totally discordant with what the viewer considered their actual reality. Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025 The true death knell, however, is the fact that the mix of dreary and dreamlike — the very juxtaposition that gives Kiss of the Spider Woman its aenima and its sting — sit too uneasily next to each other, as if both halves were stuck in a separate conversation instead of talking to each other. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025 Luna and Tonatiuh also appear in the film-within-the-film, their dashing personas and colorful surroundings a stark juxtaposition to the dreary prison walls. Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025 Massive difference, massive juxtaposition—but beautiful in a different way, right. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for juxtaposition

Word History

Etymology

Latin juxta near + English position — more at joust

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of juxtaposition was in 1654

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Juxtaposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtaposition. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

juxtaposition

noun
jux·​ta·​po·​si·​tion ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce juxtaposition (audio)
: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side
also : the state of being so placed
juxtapose transitive verb
juxtaposed; juxtaposing

More from Merriam-Webster on juxtaposition

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