antithesis

[ænˈtɪθəsɪs]

antithesis Definition

  • 1a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else
  • 2a contrast or opposition between two things

Using antithesis: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "antithesis" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    Love is the antithesis of selfishness.

  • Example

    The antithesis of success is failure.

  • Example

    The poem is an antithesis to the previous one.

  • Example

    The character of Macbeth is the antithesis of Banquo.

antithesis Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for antithesis

Phrases with antithesis

  • a dialectical process in which a contradiction (antithesis) is reconciled by synthesizing two opposing ideas (thesis and antithesis)

    Example

    The philosopher Hegel proposed that history progresses through a series of thesis and antithesis, culminating in a synthesis of the two.

  • a system or situation that is the opposite of democratic principles

    Example

    The authoritarian regime was the antithesis of democracy, with no freedom of speech or fair elections.

  • something that is the opposite of beauty, typically referring to ugliness or deformity

    Example

    The abandoned factory was the antithesis of beauty, with broken windows and rusted metal.

Origins of antithesis

from Greek 'antitithenai', meaning 'to set against'

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Summary: antithesis in Brief

An 'antithesis' [ænˈtɪθəsɪs] is a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else. It can also refer to a contrast or opposition between two things. Examples include 'Love is the antithesis of selfishness,' and 'The character of Macbeth is the antithesis of Banquo.' The phrase 'thesis and antithesis' refers to a dialectical process in which a contradiction is reconciled by synthesizing two opposing ideas.