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
The twinkling lights juxtaposed against the snow offer a bright and festive reprieve from the darker and shorter days in December.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Shot and edited like a commercial from the ’90s or early 2000s or promotional video for a huge fight, the sketch hilariously juxtaposes the blandness of the traditional office setting with the intensity of a raucous rager.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2024
Visitors can look forward to historical sites that are a tribute to the American Revolution; classic food gems, like Quincy Market, juxtaposed with buzzy new eateries; and many green spaces, such as Boston Common, the oldest city park in the United States.
—Shivani Vora, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024
With Terry Husk being a composite character, was the main purpose to juxtapose the real-life Bob Mathews in various ways?
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for juxtapose 
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Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Shot and edited like a commercial from the ’90s or early 2000s or promotional video for a huge fight, the sketch hilariously juxtaposes the blandness of the traditional office setting with the intensity of a raucous rager.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2024
Visitors can look forward to historical sites that are a tribute to the American Revolution; classic food gems, like Quincy Market, juxtaposed with buzzy new eateries; and many green spaces, such as Boston Common, the oldest city park in the United States.
—Shivani Vora, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024
With Terry Husk being a composite character, was the main purpose to juxtapose the real-life Bob Mathews in various ways?
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
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 30 Dec. 2024.
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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