juxtapose
verb
J. F. T. Bugental
Did you know?
Is juxtapose a back-formation?
Although it doesn’t feature the word juxtapose, a classic segment from a 1969 episode of Sesame Street perfectly illustrates the essence of the verb. In it, the character Bob (as played by actor Bob McGrath) sings the catchy song “One of These Things (Is Not Like the Others)” in front of a display that juxtaposes—that is, places near one another for comparison—four items: an apple, an ice cream cone, a hamburger, and a mitten. The song asks its audience to consider their similarities and differences before deciding which is the most different (spoiler alert: it’s the mitten). The word juxtapose is likely a back-formation of the noun juxtaposition, which appropriately enough combines the Latin adjective juxta meaning “near” with the English word position. The use of juxtapose isn’t limited to tangible objects, however—images, ideas, concepts, and more are frequently juxtaposed.
Examples of juxtapose in a Sentence
Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
One speaker juxtaposed the chain-link prop that Kutulas had used against a poster-size picture of the lakefront.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The storytelling potential of Rick and Danny’s juxtaposing circumstances appealed to Carney.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
However, just because two specific shades don't work together doesn't mean similar or less saturated tones of each shade can't be juxtaposed in a visually appealing way.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juxtapose
Cite this Entry
“Juxtapose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juxtapose. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
juxtapose
verb
