juxtapose
verb
jux·ta·pose
ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz 
juxtaposed; juxtaposing
: 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 ideas—
J. F. T. Bugental
J. 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
While her eyelids and lips remained as wet as her hair, Rihanna’s makeup artist Priscilla Ono juxtaposed the texture with a mattified base before adding a small detail on her cheek: a black beauty mark.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 31 Jan. 2025
Now in its 11th year, the nine-course menu features both traditional and homegrown recipes, curated to juxtapose heritage with modernity.
—Natalie Keng, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
Dennis Newhall, a jazz announcer until the 2023 layoff, said the news of Reina’s involvement struck harder when juxtaposed with Reina’s personality.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025
Peter Medak directs a genuinely affecting slow-burn thriller that begins in ice and ends in fire, juxtaposing the finality of death against the restlessness of the afterlife.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for juxtapose 
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India Espy-Jones, Essence, 31 Jan. 2025
Now in its 11th year, the nine-course menu features both traditional and homegrown recipes, curated to juxtapose heritage with modernity.
—Natalie Keng, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
Dennis Newhall, a jazz announcer until the 2023 layoff, said the news of Reina’s involvement struck harder when juxtaposed with Reina’s personality.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025
Peter Medak directs a genuinely affecting slow-burn thriller that begins in ice and ends in fire, juxtaposing the finality of death against the restlessness of the afterlife.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for juxtapose
Dictionary Entries Near juxtapose
Cite this Entry
“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
juxtapose
verb
jux·ta·pose
ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz
juxtaposed; juxtaposing
: to place side by side
juxtaposition
noun
ˌjək-stə-pə-ˈzish-ən
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