How to Use "Juxtapose" in a Sentence

"Juxtapose" is a verb that is related to the noun "juxtaposition" and is formed from it by the process called backformation. ​To juxtapose two images, concepts or ideas means to put them side by side in order to better see the relationship between them or for a strong emotional effect.​ "Juxtapose" is a transitive verb, meaning that it takes a direct object.

“Juxtapose” Definition

Synonym.com defines "juxtapose” as follows: ​“to place (different things) side by side (as to compare them or contrast them or to create an interesting effect)."​

Some of the synonyms of the verb “juxtapose” are:

• “appose,”
• “connect,”
• “pair,”
• “bring together,"
• “place in proximity”
• and “set side by side.”

The two things being juxtaposed can be tangible and concrete, such as:

• two different photographs,
• or more abstract, such as the opinions of two different politicians as presented in an article.

Juxtaposing two things or two concepts – that is, setting them side by side – can highlight interesting relations between them that you wouldn’t have otherwise noticed.

Juxtaposing can highlight interesting relations that you would not have otherwise noticed.

How to Use “Juxtapose” in a Sentence

Juxtapose is a transitive verb, meaning that it takes a direct object. However, it does not take just any direct object. You cannot say "The photographer juxtaposed his image." Because the concept of juxtaposition requires two things (or images, or scenes, or opinions or ideas), you have to juxtapose something with something else. So, the direct object of the verb "juxtapose" must be plural, as in the following sentence: "The researcher has juxtaposed the results of the two experiments to emphasize their inconsistencies."

Alternatively, the direct object of the verb “juxtapose” might be singular, but in that case, it must be followed by a prepositional phrase that indicates the second part of the juxtaposition, such as:

One can also use two direct objects connected with the conjunction “and,” as in the following example from a Los Angeles Times article published on December 5, 2018:

"Juxtaposition" is a noun related to the verb "juxtapose." To use "juxtaposition" in a sentence, follow it with the preposition "of" that introduces the two objects being juxtaposed:

Etymology of “Juxtapose”

The word “juxtapose” has an interesting etymology.

We typically think of words formed from other words by the addition of affixes. So, in this case, you could guess that “juxtaposition” is formed from “juxtapose” by adding the suffix “-tion,” similar to the pairs “derive” – “derivation” and “organize” – “organization.”

However, in this case, the opposite is the case: The verb “juxtapose” is formed from “juxtaposition” by the process called backformation.

The verb “juxtapose” is formed from “juxtaposition” by the process called backformation.

There is historical evidence for this idea. The noun “juxtaposition” appears in English documents as early as the mid-17th century, while the verb “juxtapose” does not begin to appear until two centuries later. The noun “juxtaposition” itself derives from the combination of the Latin word ​juxta​ (“near”) and ​position​.

The noun “juxtaposition” itself derives from the combination of the Latin word ​juxta​ (“near”) and ​position​.

More commonly, new words are formed by adding affixes to existing words, but backformation is when the reverse happens – that is, an affix or what looks like an affix is trimmed down from an existing word to create a new word. So, “juxtapose” is formed from “juxtaposition” by dropping the “-tion.”