antithesis

[ an-tith-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural an·tith·e·ses [an-, tith, -, uh, -seez].

1. opposition; contrast:

   the antithesis of right and wrong.

2. the direct opposite (usually followed by of or to ):

   Her behavior was the very antithesis of cowardly.

   Synonyms: reverse, opposite

3. Rhetoric.
   1. the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in “Give me liberty or give me death.”
   2. the second sentence or part thus set in opposition, as “or give me death.”
4. Philosophy. Hegelian dialectic

antithesis

/ ænˈtɪθɪsɪs /

noun

1. the exact opposite
2. contrast or opposition
3. rhetoric the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, phrases, or words so as to produce an effect of balance, such as my words fly up, my thoughts remain below
4. philosophy the second stage in the Hegelian dialectic contradicting the thesis before resolution by the synthesis

Other Words From

• self-an·tithe·sis noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antithesis¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin, from Greek: “opposition,” from anti(ti)thé(nai) “to oppose” + -sis -sis; equivalent to anti- + thesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of antithesis¹

C15: via Latin from Greek: a setting against, from anti- + tithenai to place

Example Sentences

In the Democratic primary in his home state, he was humiliated by his old antithesis Wallace, who beat him decisively.

From Washington Post

It cannot be stressed enough that the behavior of the sitting president is the antithesis of the ideals of American democracy, institutions or peaceful transitions.

From Ozy

American Christians may have chosen cynicism in 2016, but cynicism is the antithesis of the Christian faith, and cynicism won’t have the final word in America, either.

From Fortune

The transhuman cannot exist outside of ubuntu, of course, which is the antithesis of the colonial order for a number of reasons.

From MIT Technology Review

Tesla’s being touted as a go-go player in the antithesis of a go-go sector.

From Fortune

Belle Knox is the antithesis of Jenna Jameson—and not just in looks.

From The Daily Beast

To me this is the antithesis of what travel should be about.

From The Daily Beast

Married at First Sight is the antithesis of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

From The Daily Beast

Yet its sound is the musical antithesis of a blended Frappuccino.

From The Daily Beast

Now Joffrey, the Starks' black-hearted antithesis, has met a similar fate.

From The Daily Beast

If you did fail, you would try Exclusion, and you would find nothing which is the antithesis of the area of New York.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus seen, socialism appeared as the very antithesis of law and order, of love and chastity, and of religion itself.

From Project Gutenberg

There is, however, but little danger of overdoing the parallel construction where there is no antithesis.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor is it to be wondered at, if we consider the antithesis which is presented to their usual mode of life.

From Project Gutenberg

He is a sentimental Classicist, and his subjects the antithesis of the Grco-Roman ideal to which he does homage in his technique.

From Project Gutenberg