Juxtaposition

noun

/ˌdʒʌkstəpəˈzɪʃən/

The act or instance of placing two or more things side by side, often to invite comparison or contrast or to create a striking effect; also the resulting state of being so placed.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The Budget's juxtaposition of soaring defence outlays with shrinking allocations for primary health lays bare the state's true hierarchy of priorities, inviting citizens to question whether security is being purchased at the cost of human development.

Synonyms

contrastappositioncollocationcomparisonproximitycontiguity

Antonyms

separationisolationdissociationdistance

🌱 Word Family

juxtapose (v), juxtaposed (adj), juxtaposing (v pres.p), juxtapositional (adj)

🔡 Root

Latin iuxta = beside, very near; ponere = to place; via French juxtaposition, 17th c.

📜 Etymology

From French juxtaposition (17th c.), from Latin iuxta "beside, very near" (ultimately from PIE root *yeug- "to join") + position (from Latin ponere "to place"). First attested in English in the 1660s.

🧠 Memory Hook

Break it as "JUXTA" (Latin iuxta = next to / beside) + "POSITION" — literally putting things in a position next to each other. Picture two contrasting photos placed side by side ("juxta-posed") so the difference jumps out.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Languages, Literature & Festivals

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