antithetical

adjective

an·​ti·​thet·​i·​cal ˌan-tə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 

variants or less commonly antithetic

ˌan-tə-ˈthe-tik 

1

: being in direct and unequivocal opposition : directly opposite or opposed

… some see the idea of a museum for rock & roll as antithetical to the music's rebellious ethic …

—Al Weisel

2

: constituting or marked by antithesis

antithetical conflict

antithetically

ˌan-tə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Antithetical and antithesis come from Greek antitithenai ("to oppose"). The oldest sense of antithesis refers to a language pattern that contrasts parallel ideas, as in "action, not words" or "they promised freedom and provided slavery," and antithetical originally referred to anything that was marked by such antithesis. For example, you could say "The phrase 'action, not words' is an antithetical construction." It is more common, however, for antithesis to mean "the exact opposite" and for antithetical to mean "directly opposite."

Synonyms

• antipodal
• antipodean
• contradictory
• contrary
• diametric
• diametrical
• opposite
• polar

Choose the Right Synonym for antithetical

opposite, contradictory, contrary, antithetical mean being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable.

opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Examples of antithetical in a Sentence

the antithetical forces of good and evil

spiritual concerns and ideals that are antithetical to the materialism embraced by modern society

Recent Examples on the Web

This history suggests that steep staffing cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs would be antithetical to how the U.S. has cared for veterans for nearly two centuries. — Made By History, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025

According to these indie producers, union minimums and requirements can be antithetical to how certain indie filmmakers work, with minimums and maximums set for work days, set lunch breaks and task designations, not to mention penalties that can be accrued for productions already on tight budgets. —Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025

Some investors also viewed the plan as antithetical to Bitcoin’s core ethos of decentralization and voluntary participation. —Tonya M. Evans, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

Musk has done all of this in the name of efficiency, but scientific research is antithetical to unrelenting thrift. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see antithesis

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for antithetical

• alphabetical
• arithmetical
• catechetical
• exegetical
• homiletical
• hypothetical
• parenthetical
• theoretical
• aesthetical
• genetical
• heretical
• magnetical