antithesis

antithesis — noun

1. Something that is as different as possible from another thing, so that the two a

1.名詞B2
釋義

Something that is as different as possible from another thing, so that the two are seen as complete opposites of each other.

例句

Hassan believes that love is the antithesis of hate, and that one cannot exist without understanding the other.

antithesis of hate

For the Watanabe family, the peaceful countryside was the antithesis of their busy life in Tokyo.

同義詞
  • opposite

    more general, less formal, and less emphatic

  • contrary

    slightly more formal, often used in fixed phrases like 'on the contrary'

  • reverse

    focuses on the reversed order or position of two items

反義詞

文法句型

the antithesis of + noun

用法筆記

Usually followed by 'of' to introduce the second item in the contrast. This sense refers to one specific entity (the opposite thing), not to the relationship of opposition itself — see sense 2 for the relationship meaning.

常見錯誤

❌This is the antithesis' (without a following phrase).
✅This is the antithesis of her usual style.
💡The word requires a reference to what it is the opposite of.
❌Their approaches are antithesis.
✅Their approaches are antitheses.
💡When the subject is plural, use the plural form 'antitheses'.

2. A situation in which two ideas, beliefs, or qualities are strongly opposed to ea

2.名詞C1
釋義

A situation in which two ideas, beliefs, or qualities are strongly opposed to each other and show a clear difference.

例句

The antithesis between science and art is often overstated — many scientists are also creative musicians.

antithesis between science and art

There is a clear antithesis in the novel between the wealthy landowners and the poor farm workers.

同義詞
  • contrast

    more general and less formal; can refer to any difference, not just strong opposition

  • opposition

    stronger and more confrontational in tone

反義詞
  • similarity

    a point or way in which things are alike

  • agreement

    the state of sharing the same opinion or feeling

文法句型

antithesis between + noun + and + noun

用法筆記

Typically appears in the pattern 'antithesis between X and Y'. This sense refers to the relationship or state of opposition itself, not to one of the opposing items (see sense 1 for the item meaning). Frequently used in academic or formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌The antithesis between the two ideas are clear.
✅The antithesis between the two ideas is clear.
💡The word is singular even when comparing two things.

3. A figure of speech in which contrasting ideas are expressed using parallel gramm

3.名詞C2
釋義

A figure of speech in which contrasting ideas are expressed using parallel grammatical structures, creating a balanced and memorable effect.

例句

The famous phrase 'action, not words' uses antithesis to emphasize that doing matters more than speaking.

uses antithesis to emphasize

Shakespeare's line 'To be, or not to be' is one of the best-known examples of antithesis in English literature.

best-known examples of antithesis

同義詞
  • parallelism

    refers to the grammatical structure itself, not necessarily the contrast of ideas

  • juxtaposition

    placing things side by side for comparison, but not requiring parallel grammar

文法句型

use antithesis

antithesis in + noun phrase

用法筆記

Strictly a literary and rhetorical term. Commonly tested in exam contexts when analyzing speeches, poetry, or persuasive writing. The effect depends on both contrast of ideas AND parallel structure — simple contrast without parallelism is not antithesis.

常見錯誤

❌The writer uses antithesis' (when the text only shows a simple contrast without parallel structure).
✅The writer uses antithesis in the parallel phrases "give me liberty or give me death".
💡Antithesis requires balanced grammatical forms, not just opposite ideas.