antithesis

Noun
US[an-tith-uh-suhs]/ænˈtɪθəsəs/4 syllables

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)antitheses

  1. exact opposite“his theory is the antithesis of mine”Type of opposition, oppositeness
  2. the juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balanceType of rhetorical device
Word of the day · Sep 28About this word
onerousadjective

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

An·tith′e·sis (…), noun; pl. Antitheses. (…)

Origin: L., fr. Gr. …, fr. … to set against, to oppose; ἀντί against + … to set. See Thesis.

1. Rhetoric An opposition or contrast of words or sentiments occurring in the same sentence; as, “The prodigal robs his heir; the miser robs himself.” “He had covertly shot at Cromwell; he how openly aimed at the Queen.”

2. The second of two clauses forming an antithesis.

3. Opposition; contrast.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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