juxtapose
/ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpəʊz/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To place two people or things close together, so their differences can be compared clearly. It is often used in writing, art, and analysis.
- The article juxtaposes old and new housing plans.
- She juxtaposed the two photos for comparison.
- The report juxtaposes facts and opinions.
Adinary Nuance
Juxtapose is more formal than simple words like “compare” or “place next to.” Writers use it when they want the contrast between two things to be noticed clearly. It often appears in academic, visual, or literary contexts. You would not usually use it for everyday speech.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đặt cạnh nhau
- Spanish
- yuxtaponer
- Chinese
- 并列
- Japanese
- 対置する
- Korean
- 나란히 놓다
Etymology
Juxtapose came into English in the 19th century from French juxtaposer. It combines Latin juxta, meaning “near,” with French poser, meaning “to place.”
Common phrases
juxtapose two ideasjuxtapose imagesjuxtapose old and newartfully juxtaposed
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is juxtapose a formal word?
- Yes. It is more common in writing, analysis, and academic speech than in casual conversation.
- What is the difference between juxtapose and compare?
- Compare means look at similarities or differences. Juxtapose means place things close together so the contrast is easy to see.
- How do I use juxtapose in a sentence?
- Use it with two things: “The essay juxtaposes hope and fear.”
- Is juxtapose used in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It can sound strong in Task 2 or academic writing when you discuss contrast.