Synonyms of antithetical

antithetical

adjective

ˌan-tə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 

as in contradictory

being as different as possible

spiritual concerns and ideals that are antithetical to the materialism embraced by modern society

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contradictory
• contrary
• opposite
• unfavorable
• diametrical
• diametric
• polar
• hostile
• negative
• antipodal
• antagonistic
• adverse
• divergent
• antipodean
• unlike
• counter
• dissimilar
• cross
• disparate
• reverse
• antipathetic
• inverse
• alien
• converse
• unalike
• obverse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similar
• analogous
• like
• same
• noncontradictory
• identical
• equivalent
• alike
• synonymous

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective antithetical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of antithetical are contradictory, contrary, and opposite. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

When can contradictory be used instead of antithetical?

While in some cases nearly identical to antithetical, contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

When might contrary be a better fit than antithetical?

While the synonyms contrary and antithetical are close in meaning, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

In what contexts can opposite take the place of antithetical?

The meanings of opposite and antithetical largely overlap; however, opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of antithetical

No credible activist would advocate that a company buy back stock unless such company’s stock was trading at a discount to its intrinsic value, for as illustrated, buying back stock at a premium would be value-destructive, an outcome antithetical to what an activist seeks to achieve. —Richard Mansouri, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Regardless of the game’s quality, the deliberately profit-minded release model cheapens the spirit of the series, and is a practice that feels wholly antithetical to Life is Strange’s ethos. —Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024

Some fans feel Section 31 is antithetical to the utopian legacy the original series was trying to build. —Lauren Coates, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025

In the 1970s, diverse forces on the right came together to fight against ceding control of the canal to Panama, seeing the move as weak and antithetical to American interests. —Aaron Coy Moulton / Made By History, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025

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