juxtaposed

[juhk-stuh-pohzd, juhk-stuh-pohzd]

adjective

1. placed or appearing close together or side by side, especially with an arresting or surprising effect, or in a way that invites comparison or contrast.

   The director handles the juxtaposed strands of the movie deftly, interweaving psychological intrigue with smartly observed comedy.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of juxtapose.

Word History and Origins

Origin of juxtaposed¹

juxtapose ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

“I tend not to get too political, but it seems just rather juxtaposed to me that an anti-regulation administration is using regulation in this way. They’re supposed to be removing barriers to healthcare.”

From Los Angeles Times

Those juxtaposed scenes of bleating livestock and skinned carcasses still leave an impression, but they’re just one strand in a tapestry of threads, none of them given more importance than the others.

From Los Angeles Times

Their tender love story is juxtaposed against a much more tragic tale.

From Los Angeles Times

Nawab highlights the contrast between the “fiery serrano chiles” and ingredients like tomatillos, juxtaposed with the earthy flavors and rich texture of the nuts, which balance beautifully.

From Salon

Art’s past is juxtaposed with the desert’s advanced industrial turbines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adjacent 
• contiguous 
• neighboring