antithesis etymology definition

Words and phrases

Personal account.

• Access or purchase personal subscriptions
• Get our newsletter
• Save searches
• Set display preferences

Institutional access

Sign in with library card

Sign in with username / password

Recommend to your librarian

Institutional account management

Sign in as administrator on Oxford Academic

antithesis noun

• Hide all quotations

What does the noun antithesis mean?

There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun antithesis , two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

antithesis has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

How common is the noun antithesis ?

How is the noun antithesis pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun antithesis come from.

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the noun antithesis is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for antithesis is from around 1450.

antithesis is a borrowing from Latin .

Etymons: Latin antithesis .

Nearby entries

• anti-terror, adj. 1882–
• anti-terrorism, n. 1844–
• anti-terrorist, n. & adj. 1797–
• antitetanic, adj. & n. 1875–
• antithalian, adj. 1818–
• anti-theft, adj. 1834–
• anti-theft movement, n. 1872–
• anti-theism, n. 1788–
• anti-theist, n. & adj. 1627–
• anti-theistic, adj. 1817–
• antithesis, n. c1450–
• antithesism, n. 1816–1919
• antithesistic, adj. 1796–
• antithesize, v. 1790–
• antithesizer, n. 1808–1915
• antithet, n. & adj. 1656–
• antithetic, adj. & n. 1610–
• antithetical, adj. 1582–
• antithetically, adv. 1594–
• antitheton, n. 1550–
• anti-tobacconal, n. 1862–63

Thank you for visiting Oxford English Dictionary

To continue reading, please sign in below or purchase a subscription. After purchasing, please sign in below to access the content.

Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for antithesis, n..

antithesis, n. was revised in September 2023.

antithesis, n. was last modified in September 2024.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into antithesis, n. in September 2024.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1885)

• Find out more

OED Second Edition (1989)

• View antithesis in OED Second Edition

Please submit your feedback for antithesis, n.

Please include your email address if you are happy to be contacted about your feedback. OUP will not use this email address for any other purpose.

Citation details

Factsheet for antithesis, n., browse entry.

• Create account
• Contributions
• Bahasa Indonesia
• Simple English

Borrowed from Latin antithesis , itself a borrowing from Ancient Greek ἀντίθεσις ( antíthesis ) . By surface analysis , anti- +‎ thesis .

Pronunciation

• IPA ( key ) : /ænˈtɪ.θə.sɪs/

antithesis ( plural antitheses )

• A proposition that is the diametric opposite of some other proposition. Hypernyms: opposite ; antipode
• [ 1835 , L [ arret ] Langley, A Manual of the Figures of Rhetoric,   [ … ] , Doncaster: Printed by C. White, Baxter-Gate, →OCLC , page 22 : Antithesis , opposing things to things, Oft from the contrast strength and beauty brings. ]
• ( philosophy ) The second stage of a dialectical process in which the thesis is negated.

Derived terms

• antithesise
• antithesize
• antithetical
• antitheticality
• antithetically
• antitheticalness

Translations

• English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
• English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-
• English terms borrowed from Latin
• English terms derived from Latin
• English terms derived from Ancient Greek
• English terms prefixed with anti-
• English 4-syllable words
• English terms with IPA pronunciation
• English terms with audio pronunciation
• English lemmas
• English nouns
• English countable nouns
• English nouns with irregular plurals
• en:Rhetoric
• English terms with quotations
• en:Philosophy
• en:Figures of speech
• Pages with entries
• Pages with 1 entry
• Entries with translation boxes
• Terms with Catalan translations
• Terms with Literary Chinese translations
• Mandarin terms with redundant transliterations
• Terms with Mandarin translations
• Terms with Czech translations
• Terms with Dutch translations
• Terms with Esperanto translations
• Terms with Finnish translations
• Terms with French translations
• Terms with German translations
• Greek terms with redundant script codes
• Terms with Greek translations
• Terms with Ancient Greek translations
• Terms with Hindi translations
• Terms with Hungarian translations
• Terms with Indonesian translations
• Terms with Irish translations
• Terms with Italian translations
• Japanese terms with redundant script codes
• Terms with Japanese translations
• Terms with Maori translations
• Terms with Polish translations
• Terms with Portuguese translations
• Russian terms with non-redundant manual transliterations
• Terms with Russian translations
• Terms with Serbo-Croatian translations
• Terms with Slovene translations
• Terms with Spanish translations
• Terms with Swahili translations
• Terms with Swedish translations
• Terms with Tagalog translations
• Terms with Ukrainian translations
• Terms with Vietnamese translations
• Terms with Welsh translations
• Terms with Old Norse translations

• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Definition of antithesis

Did you know.

Writers and speechmakers use the traditional pattern known as antithesis for its resounding effect; John Kennedy's famous "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" is an example. But antithesis normally means simply "opposite". Thus, war is the antithesis of peace, wealth is the antithesis of poverty, and love is the antithesis of hate. Holding two antithetical ideas in one's head at the same time—for example, that you're the sole master of your fate but also the helpless victim of your terrible upbringing—is so common as to be almost normal.

Examples of antithesis in a Sentence

Word history.

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, opposition, from antitithenai to oppose, from anti- + tithenai to set — more at do

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1)

Dictionary Entries Near antithesis

anti-theoretical

Cite this Entry

“Antithesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antithesis. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of antithesis, more from merriam-webster on antithesis.

Nglish: Translation of antithesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of antithesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antithesis

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Point of view: it's personal, plural and possessive names: a guide, what's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism', more commonly misspelled words, words you always have to look up, popular in wordplay, 8 words with fascinating histories, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, birds say the darndest things, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 10 scrabble words without any vowels, games & quizzes.

antitheses (n.)

plural of antithesis .

Entries linking to antitheses

1520s, "opposition, contrast," originally in rhetoric, "the bringing of contrary ideas or terms in close opposition;" 1530s as "that which is in (rhetorical) opposition or contrast," from Late Latin antithesis , from Greek antithesis "opposition, resistance," literally "a placing against," also a term in logic and rhetoric, noun of action from antitithenai "to set against, oppose," a term in logic, from anti "against" (see anti- ) + tithenai "to put, place" (from reduplicated form of PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").

The extended sense of "direct or striking opposition" is from 1630s; by 1831 as "that which is the direct opposite."

Trends of antitheses

More to explore, share antitheses.

updated on September 28, 2017

Dictionary entries near antitheses

anti-socialist

antistrophe

antithetical

• English (English)
• 简体中文 (Chinese)
• Deutsch (German)
• Español (Spanish)
• Français (French)
• Italiano (Italian)
• 日本語 (Japanese)
• 한국어 (Korean)
• Português (Portuguese)
• 繁體中文 (Chinese)

antitheses etymology

• From Greek antithesis "opposition, contrariety," from anti- "opposite" (from anti- "against") + thesis "placing, assertion" (from tithenai "to place").
• A statement or proposition that contradicts another.
• A contrast or opposition of ideas, especially when expressed in a balanced or parallel structure.
• The structural relationship between two opposing elements in a work of literature, art, or music.

The term "antithesis" comes from the Greek anti "against" and thesis "proposition," and it was first used in the context of philosophy by Aristotle in the 4th century BCE. Aristotle used the term to refer to a logical argument in which two opposing propositions are presented, one as the thesis and the other as the antithesis. The goal of an antithesis is to challenge and ultimately refute the thesis.

Over time, the term has come to be used more broadly to refer to any kind of contrast or opposition, whether in philosophy, rhetoric, literature, art, or music.

antitheses relate terms

Etymology Greek anti against thesis position statement Meaning Antithesis is

Etymology The word anti has its origins in the Greek prefix ἀντί anti meanin

Etymology Greek anti against Latin ponere to place Meaning The state of

Etymology The word nature ultimately derives from the Latin word natura which means

Etymology Ancient Greek ἁρμονία harmonia from the verb ἁρμόζω harmo

Etymology Identity derives from the Latin word identitas which in turn comes from the

Etymology The word handicap derives from the 16th century term hand in cap referrin

Etymology of Respite The word respite comes from the Latin word respicere meaning t

Etymology The word fate comes from the Latin word fatum which means prophecy or d

Etymology Latin inspiro in in spirare to breathe Proto Indo European spe

Etymology The word bead comes from the Old English word bede which means prayer T

Etymology The word lest comes from the Middle English word lesten meaning to preve

• manipulation

Pronunciation

Here is the IPA phonetic spelling for "antithesis" broken down by syllable:

ænˈtɪ.θə.sɪs (This is the most common pronunciation in both British and American English)

Syllable 1 (æn):

æ - short "a" sound like in "cat"

n - alveolar nasal sound like the "n" in "pin"

Syllable 2 (tɪ):

t - alveolar plosive sound like the "t" in "stop"

ɪ - short "i" sound like the "i" in "sit"

Syllable 3 (θə):

θ - voiceless dental fricative sound like the "th" in "thin"

ə - schwa sound, a central vowel sound like the unstressed vowel in "about"

Syllable 4 (sɪs):

s - alveolar fricative sound like the "s" in "sip"

s - alveolar fricative sound like the "s" in "sip" (pronounced twice)

Word Form Variations

The word "antithesis" has very few variations in form:

Singular: antithesis (This is the standard form used for both singular and general contexts)

Plural: antitheses (This is the plural form, used when referring to multiple instances of contrasting ideas)

Adjective: antithetical (This is the adjective form, used to describe something that is the opposite or contrasting to something else)

There are no other commonly used variations for "antithesis" beyond these three.

FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.

Register now., find yourself at sea. register now. find yourself at sea. register now., definitions, synonyms, antonyms.

Definition: The direct opposite of something; a contrasting idea or principle.

Synonyms: opposite, contrast, foil, counterpoint, contradiction.

Antonyms: similarity, resemblance, analogy, parallel.

Definition: Being the opposite or directly contrasting with something else.

Synonyms: opposing, contradictory, contrasting, countervailing, divergent.

Antonyms: similar, resembling, analogous, parallel.

There is no verb or adverb form commonly used for "antithesis."

Examples of Use

Literature:

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) - This iconic opening line uses antithesis to highlight the contrasting nature of the historical period.

Newspapers:

"The election results were an antithesis of the polls, with the underdog candidate achieving a surprise victory." (The New York Times) - This headline uses "antithesis" to emphasise the unexpected and contrasting outcome.

Online Publications:

"Fast fashion prioritises trends over quality, creating an antithesis of sustainable practices." (Sustainable Jungle website) - This article uses "antithetical" to describe how fast fashion opposes sustainability.

Entertainment Mediums:

"In the movie, the hero embodies light and the villain embodies darkness, creating a classic antithesis." (Movie review blog) - This review analyses the contrasting characters using "antithesis."

General Public Discourse:

"During the debate, the two candidates presented antithetical views on economic policy." (Political commentary podcast) - This discussion highlights opposing viewpoints using "antithetical."

Social Media:

"Freedom without responsibility is the antithesis of a healthy society." (Social media post) - This tweet uses "antithesis" to argue against an unbalanced concept of freedom.

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Antithesis

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." (Martin Luther King, Jr.) - Here, antithesis emphasises the stark choice between unity and destruction.

"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." (John F. Kennedy) - This quote uses antithesis to shift focus from receiving to contributing.

"War is the antithesis of all that is good." (H.G. Wells) - This statement highlights war as the complete opposite of positive values.

"The opposite of love is not hate; it is indifference." (Elie Wiesel) - This quote uses antithesis to redefine the concept of love's opposite.

"The things that unite us are far greater than those that divide us." (Mario Cuomo) - Here, antithesis emphasises the importance of unity despite differences.

"Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation." (Rumi) - This quote uses antithesis to highlight the power of silence compared to spoken words.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." (Leonardo da Vinci) - This statement uses antithesis to suggest that complexity doesn't equal refinement.

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all..." (Emily Dickinson) - This poem uses antithesis to emphasise hope's constant presence even in silence.

"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." (Gloria Steinem) - This quote uses a humorous antithesis to highlight the potential discomfort of facing the truth.

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." (Socrates) - This statement uses antithesis to suggest true wisdom lies in recognizing the limitations of knowledge.

The word "antithesis" comes from a long journey! Originally, in Ancient Greek, there was a word "antitithenai" which literally meant "to set against" or "oppose." This word was formed by combining two smaller parts:

anti- : This means "against" and is a prefix we see in many English words today, like "antidote" (against poison) or "antisocial" (against social norms).

tithenai : This means "to put" or "place."

Over time, this Greek word "antitithenai" was borrowed by Latin as "antithesis," which still meant "opposition" or "resistance." Finally, in the 1500s, English borrowed "antithesis" from Latin and it kept its meaning of expressing a clear contrast or opposite.

So, even though the word itself is a bit complex, its meaning boils down to the simple idea of putting things in opposition to each other!

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Antithesis

While there aren't common phrases that directly include the word "antithesis," there are many idioms that use antithesis to convey contrasting ideas. Here are a few examples:

Easy come, easy go: This idiom uses antithesis to suggest that things acquired easily are also easily lost.

Speak softly but carry a big stick: This proverb uses contrasting actions ("speak softly" vs. "carry a big stick") to emphasise a message of diplomacy backed by strength.

The best of both worlds: This idiom highlights the ideal situation of having contrasting positive qualities combined.

Every cloud has a silver lining: This proverb uses contrasting weather elements ("cloud" and "silver lining") to suggest there's good even in difficult times.

Work smarter, not harder: This expression emphasises contrasting approaches ("smarter" vs. "harder") to achieve a goal efficiently.

Posts Related to Antithesis

Source information.

Definition of antithesis from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

KIRU is an American artist, author and entrepreneur based in Brooklyn, New York.

GREAT GIFT IDEA!

✔ Add 2,000 must-know adjectives to your vocabulary.

✔ All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔   99 categorized lessons, 232 practical activities.

✔   Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.​​​​​​​​

✔  Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, CPE, BEC, PTE, FCE

Transform Your Vocabulary Today!

Dictionary definition of antithesis

A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else. "The concept of war is the antithesis of peace."

Detailed meaning of antithesis

Antithesis is a literary and rhetorical device that involves the contrasting of two opposing ideas, usually in a balanced sentence. It is a figure of speech in which an opposite or contrasting idea is expressed in parallel structure. The ideas or words in antithesis are in a stark contrast to one another, creating a strong and dramatic effect. For example, "I came, I saw, I conquered" is an example of antithesis , as the three clauses are contrasting in meaning, "I came" and "I conquered" are opposite of one another. Similarly, the phrase "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," spoken by President John F. Kennedy, is an example of antithesis as the two halves of the sentence are contrasting ideas. Antithesis can also be used to create a sense of tension, irony or paradox. It is often used to emphasize a point, or to make a comparison, to create a sense of balance and symmetry in a sentence or text. Overall, Antithesis is a literary and rhetorical device that is used to create a contrast between two opposing ideas, usually in a balanced sentence, to create a sense of tension, irony or paradox and to emphasize a point.

Example sentences containing antithesis

1. She is the antithesis of her introverted sister. 2. In politics, he's the antithesis of compromise. 3. The bustling city is the antithesis of rural life. 4. His calm demeanor is the antithesis of anxiety. 5. Winter's cold is the antithesis of summer's warmth. 6. The optimist is the antithesis of a pessimist.

History and etymology of antithesis

The noun ' antithesis ' has its roots in ancient Greek. It is derived from the Greek words 'anti,' meaning 'against' or 'opposite,' and 'thesis,' which means 'a setting' or 'a position.' In Greek rhetoric and philosophy, ' antithesis ' referred to the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or words within a sentence or argument, creating a sharp contrast to emphasize their differences. Over time, the term ' antithesis ' was adopted into English to describe a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else. The etymology of ' antithesis ' underscores its historical association with the art of rhetoric and argumentation, where contrasting elements are used to highlight their opposition or difference, illustrating the concept of direct opposition or contrast.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the noun antithesis :

Continue Quiz

Further usage examples of antithesis

1. Black is the antithesis of white in the color spectrum. 2. In fashion, simplicity can be the antithesis of extravagance. 3. The antagonist is often the antithesis of the protagonist. 4. Freedom is the antithesis of oppression. 5. His loud personality is the antithesis of her quiet one. 6. The fast-paced city is the antithesis of a tranquil village. 7. In literature, the hero is the antithesis of the villain. 8. The dessert's sweetness is the antithesis of savory dishes. 9. Innovation can be the antithesis of tradition. 10. The night's darkness is the antithesis of daylight. 11. The mountain's grandeur is the antithesis of the flat plains. 12. The antithesis of love is indifference. 13. Her love for adventure is the antithesis of his caution. 14. The antique charm of the town is the antithesis of modernity. 15. The speech presented the antithesis of the government's policies. 16. The character's actions were the antithesis of what was expected of him. 17. The design was the antithesis of minimalism, with its intricate details and embellishments. 18. The proposal was the antithesis of the current regulations, calling for their complete abolition. 19. The poem's themes of love and hate are the antithesis of one another. 20. The novel's protagonist is the antithesis of the traditional hero. 21. The candidate's views on the economy were the antithesis of his opponent's. 22. The new plan is the antithesis of the old one, with completely different goals and strategies. 23. The concert was the antithesis of a traditional orchestral performance, with its electronic beats and unconventional instruments. 24. The statement was the antithesis of what was previously believed. 25. The philosophy of individualism is the antithesis of collectivism.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_185160819e4140ddb9da28e792295587~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_03e6a0de8080428aa896fe40519bce37~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_03e6a0de8080428aa896fe40519bce37~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_03e6a0de8080428aa896fe40519bce37~mv2.jpg

GRE 14 (Graduate Record Examination), Comparison and Contrast, Anomaly and Difference, Opposites and Differences

antipode,contrary,contrast,converse,counter,inverse,obverse,reverse

Synonyms for antithesis

Quiz categories containing antithesis.

Find the Synonym

Find the Antonym

Same or Different?

Spelling Bee

opposite, same, identical, akin

eb68db_1c9da5db608f4211a35c089443da879c.mp3