Antithetic: meaning, definitions and examples

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antithetic

 

[ ˌæn.tɪˈθɛ.tɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

philosophical contrast

Antithetic describes a relationship characterized by opposition or contrast. It is often used in philosophical or literary contexts to highlight conflicting ideas or themes.

Synonyms

contradictory, contrasting, opposite

Examples of usage

  • The antithetic nature of good and evil is a common theme in literature.
  • Her antithetic views on the subject sparked a heated debate.
  • The poem employs antithetic imagery to emphasize the stark differences between joy and sorrow.

Translations

Translations of the word "antithetic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antitético

🇮🇳 विरोधाभासी

🇩🇪 antithetisch

🇮🇩 antitetis

🇺🇦 антитетичний

🇵🇱 antyteza

🇯🇵 対立する

🇫🇷 antithétique

🇪🇸 antitético

🇹🇷 antitez

🇰🇷 대립적인

🇸🇦 مضاد

🇨🇿 antithetický

🇸🇰 antitetický

🇨🇳 对立的

🇸🇮 antitetičen

🇮🇸 andstættur

🇰🇿 антифетикалық

🇬🇪 ანტითეტიური

🇦🇿 antitetik

🇲🇽 antitético

Etymology

The term 'antithetic' originates from the Greek word 'antithetikos', meaning 'opposing' or 'contradicting'. The root 'anti-' means 'against', while 'tithenai' means 'to place' or 'to set'. This formation suggests a placing of opposing ideas in contrast to one another. The word began to appear in English texts in the late 16th century, reflecting a growing interest in philosophy and the exploration of conflicting concepts in literature. Over the centuries, 'antithetic' has been used not only in philosophical discussions but also in various literary analyses, describing characters, themes, and ideas that stand in stark opposition to one another. Its enduring relevance in both philosophical and literary discourse exemplifies the complexity of human thought and expression.