antipode

noun

an·​ti·​pode ˈan-tə-ˌpōd How to pronounce antipode (audio)
plural antipodes an-ˈti-pə-ˌdēz How to pronounce antipode (audio)
1
: the parts of the earth diametrically opposite
usually used in plural
often used of Australia and New Zealand
as contrasted to the western hemisphere
2
: the exact opposite or contrary
antipodean adjective or noun

Did you know?

We borrowed the word antipode over 600 years ago. It first appeared in a translation of a Latin text as a word designating "men that have their feet against our feet," that is, inhabitants of the opposite side of the globe. The word, which originated in Greek, combines anti-, meaning "opposite," with the root pod-, meaning "foot." "Antipode" is no longer used in English as a designation for people, but the notion of the other side of the globe lives on in its current geographical sense. We have come to use the plural term "antipodes" (pronounced \an-TIH-puh-deez) to refer to Australia and New Zealand because they are on the other side of the earth from Britain.

Examples of antipode in a Sentence

our little pug is an antipode to our other dog, a mastiff
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These are the two largest American cities, antipodes in style and topography. Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 From Nicole Kidman to Lucy Lawless, from Taika Waititi to the brothers Hemsworth, Hollywood has long benefited from the wealth of talent coming out of the antipodes. Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024 But in the antipodes and Africa, a myth built up around Rodriguez; in the latter region, his music was embraced by the anti-apartheid movement. Chris Morris, Variety, 9 Aug. 2023 His college buddy Ken was Mr. Hsu’s uncool antipode, stiff-collared and focused on the future. Marc Weingarten, WSJ, 7 Oct. 2022 The research makes a strong case that this approach is more effective than its antipode: being unnecessarily hard on yourself. Mark Travers, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022 In scattering amplitudes, the antipode map that Dixon found is a bit more abstract. Katie McCormick, Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022 President Joe Biden could be the antipode to the Trump/Greene type of outrage politics. Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 12 Apr. 2021 But that's usually antipode to how a business—which is how Congress characterizes the USPS—is run. Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle English antipodes, plural, persons dwelling at opposite points on the globe, from Latin, from Greek, from plural of antipod-, antipous with feet opposite, from anti- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of antipode was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near antipode

Cite this Entry

“Antipode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antipode. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

antipode

noun
an·​ti·​pode ˈant-ə-ˌpōd How to pronounce antipode (audio)
plural antipodes an-ˈtip-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce antipode (audio)
1
: the parts of the earth opposite each other at a distance of the earth's diameter
usually used in plural
2
: the exact opposite
antipodal
an-ˈtip-əd-ᵊl
adjective
antipodean adjective

Medical Definition

antipode

noun
an·​ti·​pode ˈant-ə-ˌpōd How to pronounce antipode (audio)
plural antipodes an-ˈtip-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce antipode (audio)
1
: the exact opposite
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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