antithesis etymology

Etymology

  • Greek: anti- (against) + thesis (position, statement)

Meaning

Antithesis is a rhetorical device that juxtaposes two contrasting ideas, phrases, or words to highlight their differences and create emphasis.

Origin

The concept of antithesis has been used in rhetoric for centuries. It was first formally defined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BCE) in his work on rhetoric, "Rhetoric." Aristotle described antithesis as a form of antithesis in which "contrary words are placed side by side."

Examples

  • "To be or not to be, that is the question." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
  • "Light and darkness, cold and heat, war and peace."
  • "The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer."
  • "With great power comes great responsibility." (Uncle Ben, Spiderman)

antithesis relate terms

  • antitheses

    Etymology From Greek antithesis opposition contrariety from anti opposite from

  • antithesis

    Etymology Greek anti against thesis position statement Meaning Antithesis is

  • antithetic

    Etymology Anti Greek prefix meaning against or opposite Thetic Greek root meaning

  • antithesis

    Etymology Greek anti against thesis position statement Meaning Antithesis is

  • antithetical

    Etymology The word antithetical comes from the Greek words anti against and tithe

  • demote

    Etymology The word demote comes from the Latin prefix de meaning down or away an

  • antonym

    Etymology Antonym is derived from the Greek words anti meaning against and onom

  • sane

    Etymology The word sane derives from the Latin word sanus meaning sound healthy o

  • opposition

    Etymology Greek anti against Latin ponere to place Meaning The state of

  • cipher

    Etymology The word cipher comes from the Old French word chifre which in turn comes

  • sarcasm

    Etymology Greek sarkazein literally to tear flesh From sarkazmos derision moc

  • soul

    Etymology The word soul traces its origins to the Proto Indo European root h₂enh₂

  • pardon

    Etymology The word pardon comes from the Old French word pardonner which itself come