juxtapose
Juxtapose (verb) means to place two or more things side by side, especially so that the contrast between them becomes clear. Example: “The exhibition juxtaposes wartime photographs with holiday snapshots from the same streets.”
How to Use Juxtapose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo put two things next to each other so you notice how different they are.
Formal; standard in art criticism, literary analysis and design.
The usual pattern is 'juxtapose A with B'. 'Juxtaposed against' is also common, though slightly less standard.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The exhibition _____ wartime photographs with holiday snapshots from the same streets.
Etymology
A back-formation from juxtaposition, combining Latin juxta 'next to' with French poser 'to place'.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for juxtapose
See all rhymes for 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.