antithesis
opposition; contrast: the antithesis of right and wrong.
the direct opposite (usually followed by of or to): Her behavior was the very antithesis of cowardly.
Rhetoric.
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.”
the second sentence or part thus set in opposition, as “or give me death.”
Philosophy. See under Hegelian dialectic.
Origin of antithesis
1Other words for antithesis
Other words from antithesis
- self-an·tith·e·sis, noun
Words that may be confused with antithesis
Words Nearby antithesis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use antithesis in a sentence
In the Democratic primary in his home state, he was humiliated by his old antithesis Wallace, who beat him decisively.
How a courageous Southern governor broke ranks with segregationists in 1961 | John Drescher | January 1, 2021 | Washington PostIt cannot be stressed enough that the behavior of the sitting president is the antithesis of the ideals of American democracy, institutions or peaceful transitions.
American Christians may have chosen cynicism in 2016, but cynicism is the antithesis of the Christian faith, and cynicism won’t have the final word in America, either.
Political cynicism has given way to love in Christian America | jakemeth | October 28, 2020 | FortuneThe transhuman cannot exist outside of ubuntu, of course, which is the antithesis of the colonial order for a number of reasons.
Tesla’s being touted as a go-go player in the antithesis of a go-go sector.
Tesla has a business model problem: It can never justify its current stock price by simply making cars | Shawn Tully | August 29, 2020 | Fortune
Belle Knox is the antithesis of Jenna Jameson—and not just in looks.
Porn Keeps Up with the Kardashians: Belle Knox on the Mainstreaming of Adult Stars | Aurora Snow | September 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo me this is the antithesis of what travel should be about.
Obama’s Extravagant Summer Break? More Like, America’s Vacation-Deficit Disorder | Clive Irving | August 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMarried at First Sight is the antithesis of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
Yet its sound is the musical antithesis of a blended Frappuccino.
Now Joffrey, the Starks' black-hearted antithesis, has met a similar fate.
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Lion and the Rose’: Joffrey’s Demented, Shocking Royal Wedding | Andrew Romano | April 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIf you did fail, you would try Exclusion, and you would find nothing which is the antithesis of the area of New York.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)Thus seen, socialism appeared as the very antithesis of law and order, of love and chastity, and of religion itself.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockThere is, however, but little danger of overdoing the parallel construction where there is no antithesis.
English: Composition and Literature | W. F. (William Franklin) WebsterNor is it to be wondered at, if we consider the antithesis which is presented to their usual mode of life.
Newton Forster | Captain Frederick MarryatHe is a sentimental Classicist, and his subjects the antithesis of the Grco-Roman ideal to which he does homage in his technique.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4) | Richard Muther
British Dictionary definitions for antithesis
/ (ænˈtɪθɪsɪs) /
the exact opposite
contrast or opposition
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
philosophy the second stage in the Hegelian dialectic contradicting the thesis before resolution by the synthesis
Origin of antithesis
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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