juxtaposition
juhk-stuh-puh-ZISH-uhn
/ˌdʒʌk.stə.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/
The act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.
Juxtaposition places distinct elements together so their differences or similarities pop into sharp focus.
The story behind the word. Coined in 19th-century French from Latin 'juxta' ('close beside') and 'positio' ('a placing', from 'ponere'). It literally means 'the act of placing side-by-side'.
Word relationships
- apposition: Placing side-by-side, specifically in grammar, without the primary emphasis on contrast.
- contrast: Focuses purely on the differences between items rather than their physical or conceptual placement side by side.
- isolation: Placing an object entirely on its own, separated from contrast.
Commonly confused with
- contrast: Contrast is the resulting difference; juxtaposition is the actual placement side-by-side that makes the contrast visible.
Word family
- juxtapose (verb): To place side by side for contrast.
- juxtaposed (adjective): Placed close together with contrasting effect.
Collocations
- stark juxtaposition
- striking juxtaposition
- jarring juxtaposition
- deliberate juxtaposition
Example sentences
- "The juxtaposition of the opulent mansion and the nearby slums highlights the severe economic inequality of the setting." Novel Analysis
Memory hook
JUXT-a-POSITION — position two things right next to each other. Side-by-side placement that sparks contrast.
When not to use
Do not use juxtaposition for things merely placed near each other by chance without artistic or analytical intent.
Fun facts
- Filmmakers call visual juxtaposition 'Kuleshov effect'—where showing two unrelated images back-to-back alters the audience's perception of both.
Related words
Also appears in
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