antithetical

[ an-tuh-thet-i-kuhl ]

/ ˌæn təˈθɛt ɪ kəl /

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See synonyms for antithetical on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of the nature of or involving antithesis.

directly opposed or contrasted; opposite.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

Here "on its beginning" is set over antithetically against "to torment," whereas the context requires "to its blessedness."
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3|Various
In early alliterative poetry it is especially used antithetically with "bliss."
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2|Various
The jurists often mention antithetically universal successions and those confined to a single specific thing.
The Common Law|Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
The former always speak by way of antithesis,—the latter seldom construe their leaders' words antithetically.
The Philosophy of Natural Theology|William Jackson

The actual finale begins (so to speak) antithetically with the last misfortune of the unlucky Spithridates.
A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1|George Saintsbury

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