Juxtaposition
noun /ˌdʒʌk.stə.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ — Placing two contrasting things side by side to create meaning.
Definition
The act of placing two things close together or side by side, especially for contrast or comparison. In art and literature, juxtaposition creates meaning through contrast — each element makes the other more visible.
Beyond the definition
Great art is built on juxtaposition. Silence next to sound. Warmth next to cold. The laughing guest at a funeral. Contrast is how we understand what things truly are.
Origin & history
Latin: 'juxta' (next to) + 'positio' (placing). The compositional principle that meaning emerges from proximity and contrast.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The film's power came from juxtaposition — luxury next to poverty, laughter next to tears.
She wore the diamond necklace with the worn-out jeans — a deliberate juxtaposition.
In poetry, juxtaposition can do more work in two images than a paragraph of explanation.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Juxtaposition” when the meaning fits your context: The act of placing two things close together or side by side, especially for contrast or comparison. In art and literature, juxtaposition creates meaning through contrast — each element makes the other more visible.
Synonyms
contrast, comparison, opposition, adjacency
Antonyms
harmony, uniformity
Related words
Juxtaposition vs contrast
Juxtaposition is the physical act of placing things side by side for comparison. Contrast refers to the difference itself, regardless of whether the objects are placed together.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Visually Opposing Elements
An orator holds a small seedling in one hand and a heavy iron chain.
The placement of the delicate seedling against the heavy chain uses contrast to create meaning. This juxtaposition forces the viewer to consider the interaction of growth and industrial burden, making each element more visible.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Juxtaposition" mean?
Juxtaposition is noun meaning: Placing two contrasting things side by side to create meaning.. The act of placing two things close together or side by side, especially for contrast or comparison. In art and literature, juxtaposition creates meaning through contrast — each element makes the other more visible.
Where does the word "Juxtaposition" come from?
Latin: 'juxta' (next to) + 'positio' (placing). The compositional principle that meaning emerges from proximity and contrast.