juxtaposition
noun
jux·ta·po·si·tion
ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-shən 
: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect
an unusual juxtaposition of colors
also
: the state of being so placed
contrasting shapes placed in juxtaposition to each other
juxtapositional
adjective
ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl
Examples of juxtaposition in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The juxtaposition of these two things: classic, early Hollywood decadence, which is languid and which has its own flavor of Americana, next to frank, twenty first century poetry written to music.
—
Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
For the couple from Knoxville, the juxtaposition between their weekend in L.A. and news coverage of the protests felt bizarre.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Which auction items have that Lynchian juxtaposition of horror and quotidian, the strange, everyday object?
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 May 2025
The juxtaposition of 2025 to 2000 belies the occasional peaks and longer stretches in the valley that the franchise has experienced in that time.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtaposition
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.
Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
For the couple from Knoxville, the juxtaposition between their weekend in L.A. and news coverage of the protests felt bizarre.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Which auction items have that Lynchian juxtaposition of horror and quotidian, the strange, everyday object?
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 30 May 2025
The juxtaposition of 2025 to 2000 belies the occasional peaks and longer stretches in the valley that the franchise has experienced in that time.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtaposition
Cite this Entry
“Juxtaposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtaposition. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
juxtaposition
noun
jux·ta·po·si·tion
ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzish-ən
: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side
also
: the state of being so placed
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share