antithetical

[ an-tuh-thet-i-kuhl ]

/ ˌæn təˈθɛt ɪ kəl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for antithetical on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of the nature of or involving antithesis.

directly opposed or contrasted; opposite.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also Archaic, an·ti·thet·ic .

Origin of antithetical

First recorded in 1575–85; from Greek antithetikós “setting in opposition, contrasting” (from antíthetos “opposed”) + -al; see origin at antithesis, -tic, -al¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM antithetical

an·ti·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use antithetical in a sentence

Thus beer and wine do not become antithetic choices that define either a nation or what kind of society it is.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries|Clive Irving|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The body consists of two antithetic parts (antimera), and has no trace of radial structure.
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel
In the course of a Scientific Congress at Munich in 1877 the conflict of these antithetic views of nature came into sharp relief.
Evolution in Modern Thought|Ernst Haeckel
Strange to say, he became my most intimate friend and confidant—antithetic pair!
A Daughter of the Middle Border|Hamlin Garland

Antithetic and axiomatic sentences abound in his pages, embodying literally the wisdom of the many in the wit of one.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3|Various
Such work is directly antithetic to that of the city fireman who goes to his duties with a crowd looking on.
A Daughter of the Middle Border|Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for antithetical

antithetical

antithetic

/ (ˌæntɪˈθɛtɪkəl) /

adjective

of the nature of antithesis

directly contrasted

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

antithetical

Origin of antithetical

OTHER WORDS FROM antithetical

Words related to antithetical

How to use antithetical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for antithetical

antithetic