Word: juxtapose (verb)

Associations

"Juxtapose" means to place two or more things side by side, usually to compare or show contrast. It is often used in art, writing, and photography to highlight differences or similarities.

• In art, an artist might juxtapose bright colors with dark shades to create a striking image.
• A writer can juxtapose two characters with opposite personalities to show their differences clearly.
• Photographers often juxtapose old and new buildings in one photo to show change over time.

A well-known synonym is "compare," but "juxtapose" focuses more on placing things close together for contrast, while "compare" is more about examining similarities and differences generally.

Substitution

Instead of "juxtapose," you could say:

• place side by side
• set against
• contrast
  These alternatives might change the tone slightly. For example, "contrast" emphasizes difference more than just placing things next to each other.

Deconstruction

• "Juxta-" is a Latin prefix meaning "near" or "beside."
• "Pose" comes from Latin "ponere," meaning "to place."
  So, "juxtapose" literally means "to place near." This helps explain why it means putting things side by side.

Inquiry

• Can you think of two things you might want to juxtapose to show how different they are?
• How could you use juxtaposition in a story or picture you create?
• Have you ever noticed something interesting because two things were placed next to each other? What was it?