What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
anatopism
Example
The novel contained an anatopism when the character traveled from Paris to London in just a few hours. [anatopism: noun]
Example
The painting had an anatopism with a palm tree in the background of a snowy landscape. [anatopism: noun]
anachronism
Example
The play had an anachronism when a character used a cell phone in a scene set in the 1800s. [anachronism: noun]
Example
The film had an anachronism with a character wearing modern clothing in a scene set in the 1920s. [anachronism: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Anachronism is more commonly used than anatopism in everyday language. Anachronism is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while anatopism is less common and refers to a specific type of error.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between anatopism and anachronism?
Both anatopism and anachronism are formal words that are typically used in academic or literary contexts. However, anachronism is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
