What does antithesis mean?

Definitions for antithesis
ænˈtɪθ ə sɪs; -ˌsizan·tithe·sis

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word antithesis.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. antithesisnoun

    exact opposite

    "his theory is the antithesis of mine"

  2. antithesisnoun

    the juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance

Wiktionary

  1. antithesisnoun

    A proposition that is the diametric opposite of some other proposition.

  2. antithesisnoun

    A device by which two contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in parallel form.

  3. Etymology: From +.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. ANTITHESISnoun

    in the plural antitheses. Opposition of words or sentiments; contrast; as in these lines:

    Etymology: ἀντίϑεσις, placing in opposition.

    Though gentle, yet not dull,
    Strong without rage, without o’erflowing, full. John Denham.

    I see a chief, who leads my chosen sons,
    All arm’d with points, antitheses, and puns. Alexander Pope, Dunciad.

Wikipedia

  1. Antithesis

    Antithesis (Greek for "setting opposite", from ἀντί "against" and θέσις "placing") is used in writing or speech either as a proposition that contrasts with or reverses some previously mentioned proposition, or when two opposites are introduced together for contrasting effect. This is based on the logical phrase or term.Antithesis can be defined as "a figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of ideas, words, clauses, or sentences within a balanced grammatical structure. Parallelism of expression serves to emphasize opposition of ideas".An antithesis must always contain two ideas within one statement. The ideas may not be structurally opposite, but they serve to be functionally opposite when comparing two ideas for emphasis.According to Aristotle, the use of an antithesis makes the audience better understand the point the speaker is trying to make. Further explained, the comparison of two situations or ideas makes choosing the correct one simpler. Aristotle states that antithesis in rhetoric is similar to syllogism due to the presentation of two conclusions within a statement.Antitheses are used to strengthen an argument by using either exact opposites or simply contrasting ideas, but can also include both. They typically make a sentence more memorable for the reader or listener through balance and emphasis of the words.

ChatGPT

  1. antithesis

    Antithesis is a rhetorical device in which two contrasting or opposing ideas are directly juxtaposed or expressed in close association, often in a balanced or symmetrical manner. It can also refer to the absolute opposite of something or someone.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Antithesisnoun

    an opposition or contrast of words or sentiments occurring in the same sentence; as, "The prodigal robs his heir; the miser robs himself." "He had covertly shot at Cromwell; he how openly aimed at the Queen."

  2. Antithesisnoun

    the second of two clauses forming an antithesis

  3. Antithesisnoun

    opposition; contrast

  4. Etymology: [L., fr. Gr. , fr. to set against, to oppose; 'anti` against + to set. See Thesis.]

Wikidata

  1. Antithesis

    Antithesis is used when two opposites are introduced in the same sentence, for contrasting effect.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Antithesis

    an-tith′e-sis, n. a figure in which thoughts or words are set in contrast: a counter-thesis, counter-proposition: opposition: the contrast:—pl. Antith′esēs.—n. Ant′ithet (rare), an instance of antithesis.—adjs. Antithet′ic, -al.—adv. Antithet′ically. [Gr.; anti, against, tithēmi, to place.]

Suggested Resources

  1. antithesis

    Song lyrics by antithesis -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by antithesis on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce antithesis?

How to say antithesis in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of antithesis in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of antithesis in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of antithesis in a Sentence

  1. Aaron Copland:

    Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness - I wouldn't know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self- consciousness.

  2. David McIntosh:

    Bringing back earmarks is the antithesis of draining the swamp, earmarks will only benefit the special interests that grow government at the expense of working men and women.

  3. Associated Press/GoFundMe/Facebook -RRB- Ramirez:

    Presuming the guilt of a young man found innocent by a jury of of his peers is the antithesis of standing for a fair criminal justice system, that JMU allowed this to take place on their official social media accounts, to say nothing of the blatant misinformation, is egregious.

  4. Andrew Raisman:

    They’re the antithesis of the kind of slick, technical shoes that had dominated the sneaker world for a long time, a 15-year-old kid and a 50-year-old man dress the same now.

  5. Nicki Minaj:

    Some people are on the internet and seeking attention, and Geoffrey Owens ''s just the antithesis of that, so I felt like,' Oh my God, could you imagine ?'.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

antithesis#10000#54849#100000

Translations for antithesis

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for antithesis »

Translation

Find a translation for the antithesis definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"antithesis." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Oct. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/antithesis>.

Discuss these antithesis definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for antithesis? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    in or of the month preceding the present one
    A articulate
    B ultimo
    C eloquent
    D extroversive

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for antithesis: