juxtapose
- To place two or more things side by side, especially to highlight contrast or comparison.
In a sentence
- The exhibit juxtaposed ancient cave paintings with modern digital art to provoke reflection on human creativity.
- The director juxtaposed scenes of great wealth and extreme poverty to underscore the film's central theme.
Usage note. 'Juxtapose' specifically implies deliberate placement to reveal contrast or relationship; it is a somewhat formal or academic term and suits written rather than casual speech.
Where it comes from
English juxtapose · entered English 19th c.
Formed in English from the Latin prefix 'juxta' (beside, near) combined with the French 'poser' (to place), itself from Latin 'ponere.' The word appears to have been constructed in English or French in the 19th century, with English use recorded from the 1850s. The Latin root 'juxta' is related to 'jungere' (to join).