ANTITHETICAL Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

antithetical

adjective

ˌan-tə-ˈthe-ti-kəl

Definition of antithetical next

as in contradictory

being as different as possible spiritual concerns and ideals that are antithetical to the materialism embraced by modern society

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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

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of antithetical Creatives can easily get worn out during a promotion process, especially one that feels antithetical — or downright degrading — to their work. —

Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2024 And that process is antithetical to making good art, or to having any kind of real vision—both in terms of form, and in how that art can meaningfully intervene in the political realm. —

Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2024 The idea that Jesus can personally appear to anyone is antithetical to mainstream LDS Church teachings. —

Lizz Schumer, People.com, 29 Sep. 2024 The centralized direction and focus implicit in such policies are, in fact, antithetical to the fundamental benefit to innovation from a diversity of effort. —

Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for antithetical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for antithetical

Adjective

Christmas entertainment can sometimes be criticized for being treacly and cliché, but The Year Without a Santa Claus subverts those stereotypes with its zany characters, who act in the strange, contradictory ways, like real people do.

Victoria Edel, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
By Joel Mathis, The Week US published 4 December 2024 Donald Trump had two seemingly contradictory goals when picking a Treasury Secretary.

Joel Mathis, theweek, 4 Dec. 2024