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The unexpected juxtaposition of ordinary objects is a hallmark of which art movement?

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juxtaposition

American  

[juhk-stuh-puh-zish-uhn] / ˌdʒʌk stə pəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun

• juxtapositions
  plural

1. an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

2. the state of being close together or side by side.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• juxtapositional
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• juxtapositions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of juxtaposition

First recorded in 1655–65; from French, from Latin juxtā “near, bordering, side by side” + French position position; cf. joust ( def. )

Explanation

If a waiter served you a whole fish and a scoop of chocolate ice cream on the same plate, your surprise might be caused by the juxtaposition, or the side-by-side contrast, of the two foods. Any time unlike things bump up against each other, you can describe it as a juxtaposition. Imagine a funeral mourner telling jokes graveside, and you get the idea — the juxtaposition in this case is between grief and humor. Juxtaposition of two contrasting items is often done deliberately in writing, music, or art — in order to highlight their differences.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

juxtaposition juxtapositions

Much of the humor, and there’s plenty, arises predictably out of the juxtaposition of smalltown Minnesota and Tarantino-esque mayhem; “Fargo” is forever on one’s mind.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

"This juxtaposition could make it more difficult for Meta to build credibility in an area where it's already a laggard," Smiley added.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

Meagan adds that she enjoys the juxtaposition of the "bravado" of ice hockey mixed with the characters' "vulnerability underneath".

From BBC ● May 30, 2026

“It’s a constant reminder. And there’s that juxtaposition of experiencing something here that’s very important, but life is also happening right outside.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

Zero dwells at the juxtaposition of quantum mechanics and relativity; zero lives where the two theories meet, and zero causes the two theories to clash.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Julian Master is an American photographer who documents our globalized, connected public life and the sometimes strange juxtapositions it creates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

He provides the pictures and the juxtapositions; a viewer has to make the connections and draw the conclusions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 2, 2025

He followed it with a succession of intensely theatrical divertissements, often revolving around unexpected intellectual conceits or bizarre juxtapositions and featuring brilliant dialogue, puns, repartee, double meanings and misunderstandings.

From BBC ● Nov. 29, 2025

In “No Other Choice,” his transitions and visual juxtapositions convey profound themes beneath the satirical surface.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2025

The loveliest scenes, he found, were comprised of the simplest, most natural juxtapositions of native plants.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson