antithesis
noun
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Writers and speechmakers use the traditional pattern known as antithesis for its resounding effect; John Kennedy's famous "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" is an example. But antithesis normally means simply "opposite". Thus, war is the antithesis of peace, wealth is the antithesis of poverty, and love is the antithesis of hate. Holding two antithetical ideas in one's head at the same time—for example, that you're the sole master of your fate but also the helpless victim of your terrible upbringing—is so common as to be almost normal.
Synonyms
Examples of antithesis in a Sentence
Claudia Wallis, Time, 8 Aug. 2005
Yet the newest residential rage in Dallas is the antithesis of the traditional neighborhood: the gated community. Depending on your income and level of anxiety, these private enclaves may contain golf courses, health clubs and equestrian centers …
—Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004
Cato, who dosed his family on cabbage soup, derided Greek physicians as the antithesis of Roman virtue: they were frauds who cheated patients and 'have sworn to kill all barbarians with their drugs'.
—Roy Porter, The Greatest Benefit to Mankind, 1997
true love for another is the antithesis of the desire to control that person's life
Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2024
Enter the antithesis of a modern-day college quarterback, a three-year backup who didn’t transfer, didn’t walk out, didn’t sell out.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024
The classic examples of antithesis are: CEO: C-suite news, analysis, and advice for top decision makers right to your inbox.
—Jerry Weissman, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
A day after an uplifting and unifying speech just off the White House grounds and before an epic crowd, Harris risked her pledge to work for all Americans and be the antithesis of Trump seeming hollow.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for antithesis 
Dictionary Entries Near antithesis
Cite this Entry
“Antithesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antithesis. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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antithesis
noun
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