antipodal

[ an-tip-uh-dl ]

adjective

1. Geography. on the opposite side of the globe; pertaining to the antipodes.
2. diametrically opposite:

   twin brothers with antipodal personalities.

3. Botany. (in a developing ovule) of or at the end opposite to the micropyle:

   antipodal nuclei.

antipodal

/ ænˈtɪpədəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to diametrically opposite points on the earth's surface
2. exactly or diametrically opposite

antipodal

/ ăn-tĭp′ə-dəl /

Noun

1. In angiosperms, any of three nuclei located at the end of the embryo sac opposite the micropyle. The antipodals degenerate at or shortly after fertilization.
2. See more at embryo sac

Adjective

1. Situated on the opposite side or sides of the Earth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of antipodal¹

First recorded in 1640–50; antipode + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Revisit the seminal 2008 Zadie Smith essay that helped put McCarthy’s novel on the map, and try to think of ways you too can use “antipodal” casually in a sentence?

From New York Times

Later, Martinez will fill in the more troubling aspects of the character, but at this point even Troy finds him impressive and approachable enough, despite their antipodal politics, to accept his invitation to a rally.

From New York Times

But in this revival, you could home in even closer to just its two sisters, antipodal soprano roles sung by Nina Stemme and Lise Davidsen with floodlight luminosity and painfully human sensitivity.

From New York Times

Measuring roughly 18 inches by 24 inches, the printed map encapsulates an antipodal, 103,483-square-mile country that required 20 hours of air travel for me to get there.

From Washington Post

"For nearly half a century, it was considered that these terrains formed due to catastrophic quakes and ejecta fallout produced by the antipodal Caloris basin impact," researchers wrote in the study's abstract.

From Fox News