juxtapose

verb

jux·​ta·​pose ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz How to pronounce juxtapose (audio)
juxtaposed; juxtaposing

transitive verb

: 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 ideasJ. 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The first-act flashbacks when Kemp realizes his guilt was always a part of the script, creating a Rashomon-like effect when juxtaposed against the court proceedings. Tomris Laffly, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile at 1-54 at Somerset House, where art from Africa and its diaspora is celebrated and showcased, beautiful ceramic vases by South African Esther Mahlangu were juxtaposed with Mahlangu’s paintings at Melrose Gallery. Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 As a child of Virginia Beach, Va., raised on its lively housing-projects lifestyles juxtaposed with middle-class neighborhoods, Williams internalized the cultural divergence. Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2024 Sonia Lapinsky, head of AlixPartners’ global fashion practice and the report’s author, told CNBC the survey’s findings – juxtaposed with the companies’ recent performance – indicate Nike and Kohl’s are at critical junctures. Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for juxtapose 

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from juxtaposition

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of juxtapose was in 1851

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near juxtapose

Cite this Entry

“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

juxtapose

verb
jux·​ta·​pose ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz How to pronounce juxtapose (audio)
juxtaposed; juxtaposing
: to place side by side
juxtaposition
ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzish-ən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!