antithetic
Diametrically set against
Antithetic means directly opposed or contrasting.
Ideas, forces, or positions that are antithetic stand in sharp opposition to each other: Democracy and totalitarianism are antithetic systems.
The word appears most often in formal or academic writing.
Antithetical is the more common form.
Opposed in nature
- inverseOpposite in position
- reverseTurn to opposite
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- contradictoryLogically opposed to itself
polar · diametric · antipodal · negating · irreconcilable · counteractive · antipathetic · opposed
Adjacent contrasting placement
- polarityState of opposing forces
- disparityMeasurable difference between things
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- dissimilarityState of being unlike
distinction · differentiation · variance · incongruity · opposition · counterpoint · tension · dichotomy
Logical argument through opposition
- HegelianOf German idealism's founder
- dualismPhilosophy of opposed pairs
- binaryConsisting of two parts
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
negation · contradiction · paradox · metaphysics · logic · reasoning · dichotomy · polarity
Inverted parallel construction
- parallelismMatching structural elements
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
- oxymoronSelf-contradicting phrase device
paradox · irony · contrast · counterargument · proposition · balance · symmetry · oratory
contrary
Opposed in nature
- inverseOpposite in position
- reverseTurn to opposite
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
contradictory · polar · diametric · antipodal · negating · irreconcilable · counteractive · antipathetic · opposed · opposing
juxtaposition
Adjacent contrasting placement
- polarityState of opposing forces
- disparityMeasurable difference between things
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
dissimilarity · distinction · differentiation · variance · incongruity · opposition · counterpoint · tension · dichotomy · dualism
dialectic
Logical argument through opposition
opposition · negation · contradiction · paradox · metaphysics · logic · reasoning · dichotomy · polarity · duality
chiasmus
Inverted parallel construction
- parallelismMatching structural elements
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
oxymoron · paradox · irony · contrast · counterargument · proposition · balance · symmetry · oratory · debate
antitheticidentical
Exactly the same
same · agreeing · equivalent · synonymous · analogous
antitheticcomplementary
Mutually supplying lacks
compatible · congruous · cooperative · synergistic · harmonious