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
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
Justin Davidson Examples of juxtaposition in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And perhaps no decor piece emphasizes this juxtaposition more than the custom tapestry that hangs on the wall behind the stairs.
—Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
Breaking down the goals the two have allowed this postseason, there’s an interesting juxtaposition.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The announcers talked up the juxtaposition between Trick Williams, who was over at the highest level from Day 1, and Sami Zayn—who scratched and clawed his way up the ranks for over two decades.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The juxtapositions of text and image, which strongly suggest the widening distance between mother and daughter, build in emotional and intellectual power over the film’s ninety-minute duration.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for juxtaposition
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Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
Breaking down the goals the two have allowed this postseason, there’s an interesting juxtaposition.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 12 May 2026
The announcers talked up the juxtaposition between Trick Williams, who was over at the highest level from Day 1, and Sami Zayn—who scratched and clawed his way up the ranks for over two decades.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The juxtapositions of text and image, which strongly suggest the widening distance between mother and daughter, build in emotional and intellectual power over the film’s ninety-minute duration.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for juxtaposition
Cite this Entry
“Juxtaposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtaposition. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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