antithetical

American  

[an-tuh-thet-i-kuhl] / ˌæn təˈθɛt ɪ kəl /

Archaic, antithetic

adjective

1. of the nature of or involving antithesis.

2. directly opposed or contrasted; opposite.

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antithetical British  

/ ˌæntɪˈθɛtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of the nature of antithesis

2. directly contrasted

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Other Word Forms

• antithetically adverb

Etymology

Origin of antithetical

First recorded in 1575–85; from Greek antithetikós “setting in opposition, contrasting” (from antíthetos “opposed”) + -al; antithesis ( def. ), -tic ( def. ), -al ¹ ( def. ).

Example Sentences

But what they’re really grappling with is a similar antithetical: It’s not the policy uncertainty; it’s the unpredictability.

From Barron's

“The entire thing is antithetical to the history and tradition of the Constitution, which is what the Supreme Court cares so much about,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“No Kings” is both a moral and a political claim that tyranny must be antithetical to American values.

From Salon

That these two antithetical fellows will build a real friendship is never in question; the fun for children ages 5 to 9 is seeing how it comes about.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kennedy is no fool — he knows that his efforts are more antithetical to democracy than he lets on.

From Salon

Related Words

• contradictory