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Opposite vs Antithetical - What's the difference?

opposite | antithetical | Synonyms |

As adjectives the difference between opposite and antithetical

is that opposite is located directly across from something else, or from each other while antithetical is pertaining to antithesis, or opposition of words and sentiments; containing, or of the nature of, antithesis; contrasted.

As a noun opposite

is something opposite or contrary to another.

As an adverb opposite

is in an opposite position.

As a preposition opposite

is facing, or across from.

opposite

English

Alternative forms

* (l) (archaic)

Adjective

(-)
  • Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
    • She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.
  • Facing in the other direction.
    • They were moving in opposite directions.
  • Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.
    • He has a lot of success with the opposite sex.
  • Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
  • * Dryden
    • Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pieasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.
  • * John Locke
    • Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite , significations.

    Derived terms

    * opposite sex

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something opposite or contrary to another.
  • An opponent.
  • An antonym.
    • "Up" is the opposite of "down".
  • (mathematics) An additive inverse.

    • Derived terms

    * opposites attract

    Adverb

    (-)
  • In an opposite position.
    • I was on my seat and she stood opposite .

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • Facing, or across from.
  • :
  • *
  • *:It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street.. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.
  • In a complementary role to.
  • :

    • See also

    * apposite

    Statistics

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    antithetical

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Pertaining to antithesis, or opposition of words and sentiments; containing, or of the nature of, antithesis; contrasted.
    • His wrong-headed beliefs are antithetical to everything we stand for as a community.
    This is precisely why insistence on relative truth is antithetical to critical thinking.

    Derived terms

    * antitheticality * antitheticalness