antithetical
gb/ˌæntɪθˈɛtɪkəl/ us/ˌæntɪθˈɛtɪkəl/
C1
English
ellentétes, összeegyeztethetetlen, antitetikus
C1
FORMAL
1
ellentétes
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is antithetical (to [something])
Her calm, measured style is antithetical to his aggressive approach.
Nyugodt, kimért stílusa teljesen ellentétes az ő agresszív megközelítésével.
The company’s stated mission is antithetical to the way it treats its workers.
A vállalat hangoztatott küldetése teljesen ellentétes azzal, ahogyan a dolgozóival bánik.
To many voters, those two policies seem antithetical.
Learner examples
His opinion is antithetical to mine.
Az ő véleménye ellentétes az enyémmel.
These two ideas are antithetical.
Ez a két elképzelés ellentétes.
Common mistake:
Often used with to (not with). Also, it means 'opposite', not just 'different'.
Meaning
directly opposed or contrasting
Collocations
antithetical to
|seem antithetical
|ideas are antithetical
|antithetical concepts
|antithetical views
|antithetical approaches
|antithetical values
|antithetical positions
|antithetical goals
|antithetical statements
Synonyms
opposed (More general; can be less emphatic than antithetical.)
|
contrary (Often suggests simple difference or disagreement, sometimes weaker.)
|
diametrically opposed (Very close in meaning; emphasizes complete opposition.)
Antonyms
compatible (Able to exist together without conflict.)
|
aligned (In agreement or pointing in the same direction.)
|
similar (Sharing important features rather than contrasting.)
Themes
ideas
|communication
|writing
|academic
Definition
Very different and opposite.
Directly opposed in meaning, nature, or effect; strongly contrasting.
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
antithetical to [a principle/value/goal]
The new restrictions are antithetical to the idea of open access.
Az új korlátozások összeegyeztethetetlenek a nyílt hozzáférés eszméjével.
Lying to clients is antithetical to professional ethics.
Az ügyfeleknek való hazudás összeegyeztethetetlen a szakmai etikával.
The judge said the tactic was antithetical to the spirit of the law.
Learner examples
Cheating is antithetical to fair play.
A csalás összeegyeztethetetlen a fair play szellemével.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for small disagreements; it usually implies a deep conflict.
Meaning
in conflict with principles
Collocations
antithetical to democracy
|antithetical to freedom
|antithetical to our values
|antithetical to the evidence
|antithetical to the mission
|antithetical to the purpose
|antithetical to the spirit of
|antithetical to the principles of
|antithetical to the idea of
|antithetical to progress
Synonyms
at odds with (More conversational; less academic than antithetical.)
|
in conflict with (Neutral phrasing; does not necessarily emphasize total opposition.)
|
incompatible with (Focuses on not fitting together, not necessarily rhetorical contrast.)
Antonyms
consistent with (In agreement with or matching a principle or standard.)
|
in keeping with (Appropriate to and matching what is expected.)
|
congruent with (Formal; stresses close agreement.)
Themes
ethics
|law
|politics
|business
|academic
Definition
Against a rule, value, or goal.
Incompatible with or fundamentally in conflict with a principle, belief, or goal.
C2
TECHNICAL
3
antitetikus
C2
Usage pattern:
an antithetical [style/structure/phrase]
The speech uses an antithetical structure: ‘We can build bridges, or we can build walls.’
A beszéd antitetikus szerkezetet használ: „Hidakat építhetünk, vagy falakat építhetünk.”
Her essay relies on antithetical phrasing to sharpen the argument.
Esszéje antitetikus megfogalmazásra épít, hogy élesebbé tegye az érvelést.
The poem’s antithetical imagery sets light against darkness throughout.
Learner examples
The writer uses antithetical phrases.
Az író antitetikus fordulatokat használ.
Common mistake:
This meaning refers to a writing/speaking technique, not just to opposite opinions.
Meaning
using antithesis in style
Collocations
antithetical style
|antithetical structure
|antithetical phrasing
|antithetical parallelism
|antithetical imagery
|antithetical comparison
|antithetical construction
|antithetical rhetoric
|antithetical couplet
|antithetical contrast
Synonyms
contrasting (Broader; not necessarily a deliberate rhetorical structure.)
|
antithetic (Often used in the same rhetorical/technical sense.)
Antonyms
parallel (Similar or matching rather than contrasted.)
|
unified (Emphasizes coherence instead of contrast.)
Themes
writing
|literature
|linguistics
|academic
Definition
Using opposite ideas in a balanced way (in writing or speech).
Characterized by antithesis; using balanced contrasting ideas for rhetorical effect.
Grammar
Dictionary form
antithetical
IPA
GB/ˌæntɪθˈɛtɪkəl/
US/ˌæntɪθˈɛtɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
an - ti - thet - ic - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (thet)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: antithetical
Word family
Core family
antithesis
noun C1
Related words
thesis
noun B2
Advanced or less common
antithetically
adverb
Expressions
antithetical to
1/ˌæntɪθˈɛtɪkəl tə/
fixed phrase
formal
directly opposed to
The opposite of; against.
Examples
- That attitude is antithetical to teamwork.
- Cutting corners is antithetical to our safety standards.
- His actions are antithetical to what he claims to believe.
Learner examples
- This plan is antithetical to our goals.
be antithetical to the idea of
1/bˈi ˌæntɪθˈɛtɪkəl tə ðə aɪdˈiə əv/
fixed phrase
formal
conflict with a basic idea
It goes against the basic idea of something.
Examples
- A lifetime ban is antithetical to the idea of rehabilitation.
- Secret ballots are antithetical to the idea of public accountability, some argue.
- The policy is antithetical to the idea of equal opportunity.
Learner examples
- Violence is antithetical to the idea of peace.
seem antithetical
1/sˈim ˌæntɪθˈɛtɪkəl/
fixed phrase
formal
appear completely opposite
They look like opposites.
Examples
- Tradition and innovation can seem antithetical, but they often work together.
- Privacy and convenience may seem antithetical in the digital age.
- The two goals seem antithetical at first glance.
Learner examples
- These two goals seem antithetical.