antithesis
gb/æntˈɪθəsəs/ us/æntˈɪθəsəs/
C1
English
szöges ellentét, ellentét, antitézis
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
ellentét
B2
Usage pattern:
the antithesis of [someone/something]
Her calm, methodical approach was the antithesis of his impulsive style.
Nyugodt, módszeres hozzáállása az ő impulzív stílusának szöges ellentéte volt.
The new design is the antithesis of the old one: clean, simple, and bright.
Az új dizájn a régi szöges ellentéte: letisztult, egyszerű és világos.
For many voters, he became the antithesis of the political establishment.
Learner examples
Black is the antithesis of white.
A fekete a fehér ellentéte.
His story is the antithesis of mine.
Az ő története az enyém ellentéte.
Common mistake:
Often used with of (not 'to'): 'the antithesis of X'.
Meaning
the direct opposite
Collocations
the antithesis of
|the very antithesis of
|the complete antithesis
|a living antithesis
|the antithesis of what
|the antithesis of everything
|stand as the antithesis of
|represent the antithesis of
|be the antithesis of
|become the antithesis of
Synonyms
opposite (More general and less formal.)
|
reverse (Often suggests a flipped direction or order.)
|
contrary (Emphasizes disagreement rather than total opposition.)
Antonyms
similarity (Focuses on likeness rather than opposition.)
|
equivalent (Implies the same value or meaning.)
Themes
language
|describing_people
|comparison
Definition
the exact opposite of something
A person, thing, or idea that is the direct opposite of another.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
ellentét
B2
Usage pattern:
an antithesis between [thing A] and [thing B]
The film sets up an antithesis between the city’s glitter and its poverty.
A film éles ellentétet állít fel a város csillogása és szegénysége között.
In the essay, she draws an antithesis between freedom and security.
Az esszében éles ellentétet állít fel a szabadság és a biztonság között.
His speech relies on antithesis to highlight the urgency of change.
Learner examples
The book shows an antithesis between rich and poor.
A könyv ellentétet mutat a gazdagok és a szegények között.
Common mistake:
Avoid using it as a simple synonym of 'difference' when there is no strong opposition.
Meaning
strong contrast between two things
Collocations
a sharp antithesis
|a stark antithesis
|a clear antithesis
|a strong antithesis
|create an antithesis
|draw an antithesis between
|pose an antithesis between
|an antithesis between A and B
|the antithesis between
|set up an antithesis
Synonyms
contrast (Neutral term; does not always imply opposition.)
|
opposition (Emphasizes conflict or resistance.)
|
dichotomy (Often suggests a two-part division (sometimes oversimplified).)
Antonyms
agreement (Emphasizes harmony rather than contrast.)
|
convergence (Focuses on things becoming more similar.)
Themes
language
|writing
|comparison
Definition
a clear contrast between two things
A strong contrast or opposition between two things, especially when they are placed side by side for effect.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
use antithesis to [do something]
The line uses antithesis: 'We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.'
A sor ellentétet használ: „Meg kell tanulnunk testvérként együtt élni, különben bolondként együtt pusztulunk el.”
Good advertising often uses antithesis to make the message memorable.
A jó reklám gyakran ellentétet használ, hogy emlékezetesebbé tegye az üzenetet.
In her poem, antithesis sharpens the emotional conflict.
Learner examples
The writer uses antithesis to compare two ideas.
Az író ellentétet használ két gondolat összehasonlítására.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with 'antagonist' (a character) or 'antibiotic' (medicine).
Meaning
a contrasting rhetorical structure
Collocations
use antithesis
|employ antithesis
|a classic example of antithesis
|a rhetorical antithesis
|antithesis and parallelism
|antithesis in a speech
|antithesis in poetry
|antithesis in a slogan
|the device of antithesis
|antithesis as a technique
Synonyms
contrast (Broader; not necessarily balanced or parallel in structure.)
|
juxtaposition (Emphasizes placing things side by side, not necessarily in parallel wording.)
Antonyms
repetition (Repeats the same idea or wording rather than contrasting ideas.)
Themes
language
|writing
|rhetoric
|education
Definition
a writing technique that contrasts ideas in a similar sentence pattern
A rhetorical device in which contrasting ideas are expressed in a balanced or parallel structure to make a point more striking.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
antitézis
C2
Usage pattern:
[a] thesis and antithesis
In the model, the antithesis challenges the thesis and forces a new conclusion.
A modellben az antitézis megkérdőjelezi a tézist, és új következtetésre kényszerít.
He framed his proposal as an antithesis to the dominant theory.
Javaslatát az uralkodó elmélet antitéziseként fogalmazta meg.
The seminar traced how an antithesis can lead to synthesis in dialectical reasoning.
Meaning
opposing idea in dialectic
Collocations
thesis and antithesis
|the antithesis to a thesis
|generate an antithesis
|offer an antithesis
|an antithesis emerges
|thesis–antithesis–synthesis
|the dialectic of thesis and antithesis
|antithesis and synthesis
|philosophical antithesis
|a theoretical antithesis
Synonyms
counterargument (A response in debate; not always a full opposite idea.)
|
negation (More abstract; emphasizes denial rather than an alternative idea.)
Antonyms
thesis (The original proposition that the antithesis opposes.)
Themes
philosophy
|education
|ideas
Definition
an idea that is the opposite of another idea in a debate
In some philosophical or analytical frameworks, an idea that directly opposes another idea (often a thesis), especially as part of a process of argument or development.
Grammar
Dictionary form
antithesis
IPA
GB/æntˈɪθəsəs/
US/æntˈɪθəsəs/
Syllables & stress
an - ti - thes - is (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ti)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: antithesis
- Plural: antitheses
Word family
Forms
antitheses
noun
Core family
antithetical
adjective C1
Related words
thesis
noun B2
Advanced or less common
antithetically
adverb
Expressions
in antithesis to
1/ˈɪn æntˈɪθəsəs tə/
fixed phrase
formal
in contrast to
strongly different from
Examples
- In antithesis to earlier studies, this report finds no clear benefit.
- The character is portrayed as gentle, in antithesis to his reputation.
- Her conclusion stands in antithesis to the government’s claims.
set [something] in antithesis to [something]
1/sˈɛt sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɪn æntˈɪθəsəs tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
contrast two things directly
to compare two things as opposites
Examples
- The author sets duty in antithesis to desire throughout the novel.
- The article sets rural life in antithesis to city life to make its point.
- She set his words in antithesis to his actions.
the antithesis of
1/ðə æntˈɪθəsəs əv/
fixed phrase
formal
the exact opposite of
to be the opposite of
Examples
- This plan is the antithesis of what we agreed on last week.
- She is the antithesis of her sister—quiet where her sister is loud.
- The new policy is the antithesis of transparency.
Learner examples
- This is the antithesis of my opinion.
the very antithesis of
1/ðə vˈɛɹi æntˈɪθəsəs əv/
fixed phrase
formal
the complete opposite of
the total opposite of
Examples
- His private life was the very antithesis of his public image.
- The decision was the very antithesis of common sense.
- Her writing is the very antithesis of dull.
Learner examples
- This result is the very antithesis of what we wanted.
thesis and antithesis
1/θˈisɪs ˈænd æntˈɪθəsəs/
fixed phrase
technical
an idea and its opposite
an idea and the opposing idea
Examples
- The lecture explored thesis and antithesis as stages in dialectical argument.
- In his paper, he sets up thesis and antithesis before proposing a synthesis.
- They debated the thesis and antithesis without reaching agreement.