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
Did you know?
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
Macron’s evening attire was perfectly juxtaposed by Queen Mary of Denmark’s feminine and slightly more conservative ensemble.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
On the contrary, movies of different eras are juxtaposed.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
At Rabanne, chunky flats were juxtaposed against silver sequin socks that made the whole outfit feel party-ready.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
The marble and crystal textures are juxtaposed with leopard and plaid prints for a creative take on classic interiors.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
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Julia Teti, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025
On the contrary, movies of different eras are juxtaposed.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
At Rabanne, chunky flats were juxtaposed against silver sequin socks that made the whole outfit feel party-ready.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
The marble and crystal textures are juxtaposed with leopard and plaid prints for a creative take on classic interiors.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
Cite this Entry
“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 4 Apr. 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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