juxtaposed

[ juhk-stuh-pohzd, juhk-stuh-pohzd ]

adjective

1. placed or appearing close together or side by side, especially with an arresting or surprising effect, or in a way that invites comparison or contrast:

   The director handles the juxtaposed strands of the movie deftly, interweaving psychological intrigue with smartly observed comedy.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of juxtapose ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of juxtaposed¹

juxtapose ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

The Croatian's final match in charge was a 3-2 home defeat by Bologna - when a lifeless on-pitch performance was juxtaposed with the anger of seething fans in the stands.

From BBC

New Zealand's elation was heartbreakingly juxtaposed by South Africa's despair, falling short at the final hurdle once more as the country's agonising wait for a global cricket title - men's or women's - continues.

From BBC

Those two questions, juxtaposed against each other, also underscore one of the greatest problems in today’s politics.

From Salon

Amid the uncertainty, some public health experts suggest, the public conversation about H5N1 has become disconcertingly contradictory, with reassuring messages that risks are low juxtaposed against warnings of a brewing pandemic.

From Salon

Most viewers say their key emotion seems to be one of contradiction — of beauty and violence juxtaposed, leaving them confused as to how to feel.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• adjacent
• contiguous
• neighboring