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

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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.
When these two juxtaposing planets come together, their energies clash. Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 23 Dec. 2024 Renderings of the final product show sleek, modern architecture juxtaposed with the much shorter existing buildings in the immediate area. Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024 The thousands of news articles profiling her over the years rarely failed to mention her diminutive size, juxtaposing the seeming frailty of her 105-pound frame with her fiery prose. Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 10 Dec. 2024 What Women Envy Most About Men Women’s envies, on the other hand, are similar (yet, ironically, still juxtaposed) to those of men. Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 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

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Dictionary Entries Near juxtapose

Cite this Entry

“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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
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