juxtapose
4 synonyms for juxtapose, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To place two or more things side by side, especially so that the contrast between them becomes clear.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
set side by side
How to use juxtapose
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
juxtapose two
juxtaposed with
juxtaposed against
sharply juxtaposed
Formal; standard in art criticism, literary analysis and design.
Etymology
A back-formation from juxtaposition, combining Latin juxta 'next to' with French poser 'to place'.
Full origin of juxtapose →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between juxtapose and compare?
Comparing means examining things for similarities and differences, and it happens in the mind. Juxtaposing means physically or structurally placing them together so the reader or viewer draws the contrast themselves. Juxtaposition is a technique; comparison is an analysis.
Do juxtaposed things have to be opposites?
No, but the word implies the pairing is meaningful. Juxtaposition works best when the two items are unexpectedly different, because the effect comes from the friction between them.
