English Reference

Word

juxtaposed

Phoneticsjux·ta·posed

US/ˌdʒəkstəˈpoʊzd/

UK/dʒˈʌkstɐpˌəʊzd/

Definition

v. placed next to something else to show how they are different. You use this when you want to compare two things by putting them together.

v. placed or existing side by side to form a contrast or comparison. Often used in literary or visual contexts to highlight differences in style, theme, or appearance.

Examples

“The dark and light colors are juxtaposed in the painting.”

“The director juxtaposed scenes of peaceful nature with the chaos of the city to show the contrast.”

“In the novel, the author juxtaposes the protagonist's childhood innocence with the harsh realities of adult life to create a powerful emotional arc.”

Examples

simple

“The dark and light colors are juxtaposed in the painting.”

contextual

“The director juxtaposed scenes of peaceful nature with the chaos of the city to show the contrast.”

complex

“In the novel, the author juxtaposes the protagonist's childhood innocence with the harsh realities of adult life to create a powerful emotional arc.”

Real-World Examples

“This early-life poverty is immediately juxtaposed with the next line, where he describes a Bottega Veneta suit that cost him 23k.”
CHRISTIAN GRECH · 9 Feb 2026
“Then it swarms, making sets look like a moment that doesn’t actually exist from the outside, and to the detriment of other artists who would benefit from not being juxtaposed with celebrities’ kids.”
The Guardian · 31 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference