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
This candle captures the time of the desert sky changing from day to a starlight night with fruity notes of raspberry juxtaposed with cactus fruit blossoms and a cedarwood base.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The classic architecture of the palazzo is juxtaposed with Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola’s contemporary-feeling interiors.
—Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025
The wedding party had an Art Deco vibe and juxtaposed the bride and groom in ivory, with the bridesmaids wearing rust tones and the groomsmen in olive.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 26 May 2025
The book, published by HarperCollins in Italy and Flammarion in France, reprises the flow of that discussion by juxtaposing their ideas in two distinct fonts on the same page.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
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Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The classic architecture of the palazzo is juxtaposed with Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola’s contemporary-feeling interiors.
—Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025
The wedding party had an Art Deco vibe and juxtaposed the bride and groom in ivory, with the bridesmaids wearing rust tones and the groomsmen in olive.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 26 May 2025
The book, published by HarperCollins in Italy and Flammarion in France, reprises the flow of that discussion by juxtaposing their ideas in two distinct fonts on the same page.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 May 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 Jun. 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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