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
Did you know?
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
Much like the black and white checkered dance floor, the bride in white juxtaposed the bridesmaids and groomsmen in black.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 5 June 2025
Rosales juxtaposes a wall of psychedelic party posters, glowing beneath blacklight, with a roadside shrine of flowers and votive candles remembering loss.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Lin juxtaposes his undocumented domesticity with courtroom drama and political stunts, questioning what structures are in place to legitimize love.
—Literary Hub
june 2, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
This empowering novel juxtaposes their stories, leaving readers questioning how much has really changed, and what if history was written by women after all?
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
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Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 5 June 2025
Rosales juxtaposes a wall of psychedelic party posters, glowing beneath blacklight, with a roadside shrine of flowers and votive candles remembering loss.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Lin juxtaposes his undocumented domesticity with courtroom drama and political stunts, questioning what structures are in place to legitimize love.
—Literary Hub
june 2, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
This empowering novel juxtaposes their stories, leaving readers questioning how much has really changed, and what if history was written by women after all?
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 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 15 Jun. 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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