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antithesis definition

an·tith·esis (an tit̸h′ə sis)

noun pl. antitheses -·ses′ (-sēz′)

  1. a contrast or opposition of thoughts, usually in two phrases, clauses, or sentences (Ex.: you are going; I am staying)
  2. the second part of such an expression
  3. a contrast or opposition
  4. the exact opposite joy is the antithesis of sorrow

Etymology: ME antitesis < LL antithesis < Gr < antithenai < anti-, against + tithenai, to place: see do

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

antithesis Synonyms

antithesis

n.

  1. Opposition

    contrast, contradiction, contraposition, contrariety; see contrast 2.

  2. Opposite

    direct opposite, reverse, converse; see opposite.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

antithesis Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • democracy: The EU is the antithesis of accountable parliamentary democracy invented by the British over 700 years ago.

Converse of object

  • represent: His work is seen to represent the antithesis of any progressive political engagement.

Adjective modifier

  • absolute: Powell's films are the absolute antithesis of realist cinema.
antithesis usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

antithesis quotes

   Books, we are told, propose to instruct or to amuse. Indeed!† The true antithesisto knowledge, in this case, is not pleasure, but power. All that is literature seeks to communicate power; all that is not literature, to communicate knowledge.

-Depp,Johnny (John Christopher)

And he himself one vile antithesis.

-Pope, Alexander

antithesis quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"antithesis." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/antithesis>

APA Style

antithesis. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/antithesis

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