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.
It’s juxtaposed with the compactness of Doherty’s outing, shot (almost) entirely in a single room — no breaks and nowhere to hide. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025 That Del Toro juxtaposed luminous elements fit for a fairy tale with unflinching violence prompted an epiphany for Ezban. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025 The season juxtaposes traditional Japanese aesthetics (wabi-sabi, mono no aware) with intrusive modernity. Martine Paris, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 The designer and her team juxtapose styles and periods within their elegant interiors, drawing inspiration from history and their clients’ lives. Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2025 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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Cite this Entry

“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 16 Apr. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on juxtapose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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