antithesis

[ an-tith-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural an·tith·e·ses [an-, tith, -, uh, -seez].

1. opposition; contrast:

   the antithesis of right and wrong.

2. the direct opposite (usually followed by of or to ):

   Her behavior was the very antithesis of cowardly.

   Synonyms: reverse, opposite

3. Rhetoric.
   1. the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in “Give me liberty or give me death.”
   2. the second sentence or part thus set in opposition, as “or give me death.”
4. Philosophy. Hegelian dialectic

antithesis

/ ænˈtɪθɪsɪs /

noun

1. the exact opposite
2. contrast or opposition
3. rhetoric the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, phrases, or words so as to produce an effect of balance, such as my words fly up, my thoughts remain below
4. philosophy the second stage in the Hegelian dialectic contradicting the thesis before resolution by the synthesis

Other Words From

• self-an·tithe·sis noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antithesis¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin, from Greek: “opposition,” from anti(ti)thé(nai) “to oppose” + -sis -sis; equivalent to anti- + thesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of antithesis¹

C15: via Latin from Greek: a setting against, from anti- + tithenai to place

Example Sentences

With every game, every win, the sense that something special is brewing at Liverpool under Slot, the antithesis of his animated, fist-pumping, iconic predecessor, grows.

From BBC

I would resist labeling the antithesis of the Black liberal tradition as a “white liberal tradition.”

From Salon

An antithesis of everything you think a dumpling would be, it’s an homage to every Scorpionic being, to their dueling urges to be both loved and protected from others.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s the antithesis of how people view a Jewish rabbi, right?

From Los Angeles Times

Enter the antithesis of a modern-day college quarterback, a three-year backup who didn’t transfer, didn’t walk out, didn’t sell out.

From Los Angeles Times