juxtaposed

IPA/ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpəʊz/
KK[dʒˌʌkstəpˈozd]IPA/ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpoʊz/

juxtaposed — verb

  • juxtaposedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • juxtaposeds3rd person singular
  • juxtaposeding-ing form
  • juxtaposededpast simple

1. to put two things that are unlike each other close together so that people can c

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to put two things that are unlike each other close together so that people can clearly see how they differ from or relate to one another

Example

The exhibition juxtaposes ancient pottery with modern 3D-printed sculptures to show changing skills.

juxtapose [noun] with [noun] — comparing old and new

In her 2023 photography book, Greta juxtaposes sharp red triangles against soft blue watercolour circles.

Common collocations
  • juxtapose A with B
  • juxtapose A and B
  • be juxtaposed with
  • carefully juxtaposed
  • deliberately juxtaposed
Synonyms
  • contrast

    emphasises examining differences; can be done without placing items physically together

  • compare

    broader in meaning; includes looking for similarities, not only differences, and often involves analysis rather than spatial arrangement

  • align

    more literal; implies arranging in a line or bringing into agreement rather than highlighting difference

Antonyms
  • separate

    to keep apart rather than bring together

  • isolate

    to place alone rather than next to something else

Grammar Patterns

juxtapose [noun] with [noun]

be juxtaposed with [noun]

Usage Note

Most common in formal or academic writing about art, literature, photography, and design. Frequently appears in the passive structure 'X is juxtaposed with Y.'

Common Mistakes

The report juxtaposes the sales figures for two quarters.
The report compares the sales figures for two quarters.
'juxtapose' implies physical or conceptual side-by-side placement, not statistical analysis.
She juxtaposed her artwork against his.
She juxtaposed her artwork with his.
'with' is the standard preposition after 'juxtapose'.

juxtaposed — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words involve bringing items together for examination, but they differ in focus. Juxtapose specifically means placing items physically or conceptually side by side so that the arrangement itself reveals a relationship — often a contrast. The spatial or conceptual closeness is central to the meaning. Contrast emphasises analysing differences between items, regardless of whether they are placed near each other; you can contrast two ideas in an essay without ever putting them side by side. Compare is broader: it means looking at both similarities and differences, and typically involves systematic analysis rather than spatial arrangement. Align has a more literal meaning of arranging in a straight line and often implies bringing into agreement or coordination — the opposite of highlighting difference. For example: 'The gallery juxtaposes a Renaissance portrait with a modern selfie'; 'The article contrasts urban commuters with country farmers'; 'Scientists compared the DNA samples from both sites'; 'The designer aligned the text with the left edge of the page.'

contrast ↗compare ↗align ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • side by side with

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin 'iuxtā' meaning 'near, beside' and 'pōnere' meaning 'to place'. The two elements combined in French as 'juxtaposer', and English borrowed the word in the mid-19th century, first appearing in art and literary criticism around the 1850s. The past participle 'juxtaposed' soon followed as an adjective describing items already placed side by side.

First known use

1862

1862, in the meaning defined above