antithesis meaning in bengali with example

English & Bengali Online Dictionary & Grammar

Learn it, talk it.

" I w a s r e a d i n g the dictionary. I thought it was a poem a b o u t e v e r y t h i n g . "                      -- Steven Wright

• English to Bengali(E2B)
• Bengali to English(B2E)
• Bengali to Bengali(B2B)
• Instruction
• English Lessons
• All Words (E2B)
• All Words (B2E)
• All Words (B2B)
• Words of Four Letters
• Words of Three Letters
• English-Bangla Idioms
• English-Bangla Phrases
• Appropriate Prepositions
• Bengali Translations
• Phrase & Idioms
• Proverbs & Expression

Antithesis - Meaning in Bengali

Bangla academy dictionary:.

Nearby Words:

See 'antithesis' also in:, share 'antithesis' with others:, browse dictionary, words by topics, idioms (বাগধারা), english phrases, four letter words, translation/ expressions, proverbs (প্রবাদ বাক্য), three letter words, recent lessons, stakeholder.

একটি প্রকল্পে প্রভাব রাখতে পারেন, কিংবা সেই প্রকল্পের সাথে স্বার্থ জড়িত রয়েছে

Digital Health

স্বাস্থ্যসেবা ব্যবস্থাকে উন্নতর করার উদ্দেশ্যে রোগীর ইলেকট্রনিক হেলথ রেকর্ড ...

Circle Back

একটি ধারণা বা সিদ্ধান্তকে পুনঃবিবেচনা করার জন্য পূর্বে আলোচিত কোনো ...

Learn words by topics :        

Browse all topics ›

• advertisement

Feeling & Emotion

• cantankerous
• anticipation

Appropriate Preposition:

Browse all ›

• Triumph over ( জয় করা ) Jim and Della triumphed over their poverty.
• Satisfaction in ( সন্তোষ ) I find satisfaction in gardening. Great was his satisfaction with her result.
• Worthy of ( যোগ্য ) He is worthy of our praise.
• Close to ( নিকটে ) The school is very close to our house.
• Equal to ( সমতুল্য (কাজ) ) He rose equal to the occasion.
• Involved in ( জড়িত ) He is involved in the plot.
• Take to heart ( মর্মাহত হওয়া ) He took his remark to heart.
• Hold water ( ধোপে টেকা ; কার্যকরি হওয়া ) This policy will not hold water in this situation.
• In vain ( বৃথা ) All his attempts were in vain.
• Dead of night ( মধ্য রাত্রি ) The robbers broke into the house at dead of night.
• Now and then ( মাঝে মাঝে ) He comes here now and then.
• Stick to ( দৃঢ়ভাবে লেগে থাকা ) He sticks to his decision.

Newsletter Subscription

Most searched word (e2b).

• Love-letter

English Grammar

• Parts of speech
• Number (বচন)
• Gender (লিঙ্গ)
• Case (কারক)
• Present Tense
• Future Tense
• Transformation
• See All >>   

Log In     Sign Up

Why sign up?

Archive Posts

• Words and Terms for Every Internet Users (Part 1)
• Abbreviation/ Acronyms
• Bangla Typing (বাংলা লিখুন)
• Common errors in translation (part 1)
• Common errors in translation (part 2)
• Collective Phrases
• Animal Voice
•            All Articles >>

Copyright © 2024 www.english-bangla.com . All Rights Reserved.

Privacy policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact

Execution Time : 0.0501

HinKhoj Dictionary

English Bengali Dictionary | ইংরেজি বাংলা অভিধান

Login or Register to HinKhoj Dictionary

By proceeding further you agree to HinKhoj Dictionary’s Privacy Policy and Term and Conditions .

• Word of the day

Pronunciation

Antithesis meaning in bengali, definition of antithesis.

• exact opposite; "his theory is the antithesis of mine"
• the juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance

OPPOSITE WORDS (ANTONYMS) of antithesis:

Hinkhoj english bengali dictionary: antithesis.

antithesis - Meaning in Bengali. antithesis definition, pronuniation, antonyms, synonyms and example sentences in Bengali. translation in Bengali for antithesis with similar and opposite words. antithesis ka bengali mein matalab, arth aur prayog

Browse HinKhoj Bengali-English Dictionary by words

Browse by english alphabets, browse by bengali varnamala.

antithesis Meaning in Bengali

বিরোধ, বিরোধাভাস, বিরোধালংকার, পরস্পরবিরোধী শব্দাবলী ব্যবহার, বৈপরীত্য,

• Similer Words
• Bengali Example
• English Example
• Other Sites

Similer Words:

Antithesis শব্দের বাংলা অর্থ এর উদাহরণ:.

(1884) Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp. (SDNY 1999) ধারণা/ভাব প্রকাশের বৈপরীত্য Baker v. Selden (1880) Whelan v. Jaslow (1986) Broderbund v. Unison (N । পুরুষদের ক্ষেত্রে এর লিঙ্গ বৈপরীত্য হিসেবে ফার্স্ট জেন্টেলম্যান উপাধি প্রদান করা হয়ে থাকে । প্রতিযোগিতা সহযোগিতার বৈপরীত্য অর্থ বহন করে । এ প্রক্রিয়াটি ব্যাটিং ইনিংসের স্বাভাবিক অগ্রগতির বৈপরীত্য অর্থ বহন করে । সেবনের ফলে উৎপন্ন নেশায় ডোপামিনিক নিউরোট্রান্সমিশনের ফলে জিনের আচরণগত বৈপরীত্য দেখা দেয় । ফলিত বিজ্ঞান প্রায়শই তাত্ত্বিক বিজ্ঞানের সাথে বৈপরীত্য সৃষ্টি করে, যা বৈজ্ঞানিক তত্ত্ব এবং সুত্রসমুহকে এগিয়ে নিয়ে যায় যা প্রকৃতিকে । আব্রাহামিক ধর্মীয় প্রভাবের সংস্কৃতিগুলিতে মন্দকে সাধারণত ভালোর দ্বৈতবাদী বৈপরীত্য বলে মনে করা হয়, যার মধ্যে ভালকে বিরাজ করতে হবে এবং মন্দকে পরাভূত করা উচিত । বৈপরীত্য চিত্র হিসেবে চাকুরীরত অবস্থায় প্রবন্ধ রচনা এরই অংশবিশেষ । দেশটির জলবায়ু, ভূগোল ও সংস্কৃতি বৈপরীত্য ও বৈচিত্র্যে সমৃদ্ধ ।

antithesis's Usage Examples:

The detection of error does not amount to a proof of the antithesis ; for example, a contradiction in the consequences of a definition of piety.

— Jesus, Matthew 5:17–20 The first antithesis (verses 21–22) attacks anger as the root of murder.

A supervillain is the antithesis of a superhero.

Parallelism may be accompanied by other figures of speech such as antithesis , anaphora, asyndeton, climax, epistrophe, and symploce.

It is the thesis to which legal realism is the antithesis .

son, Danny, becomes a scientist and intellectual, Albert Manwaring’s antithesis .

A lamer is sometimes understood to be the antithesis of a hacker.

This grandiose and monumental style is the antithesis of the simple and traditional Wayō style.

William Shakespeare's Sonnet 43 employs antithesis and paradox to highlight the speaker's yearning for his beloved and sadness in (most likely) their absence.

of a universal being In each antinomy, a thesis is contradicted by an antithesis .

For these reasons, lockouts are referred to as the antithesis of strikes.

In antithesis with the Vedantic concept of Brahman, which is a mere conscious witness.

Its antithesis , "two wrongs don't make a right", is a proverb used to rebuke or renounce.

Metaphors are often compared with other types of figurative language, such as antithesis , hyperbole, metonymy and simile.

It unveiled in July 1975 by Yehudi Menuhin, who described it as "the antithesis of the buildings surrounding us".

Its antithesis is pusillanimity (Latin: pusillanimitās).

opposition; oppositeness;

antithesis 's Meaning in Other Sites

• Google Translate
• Merriam-Webster

• Vocabulary Games
• Words Everyday
• Bangla to English Dictionary
• Favorite Words
• Word Search History

English to Bangla Meaning of antithesis - বৈপরীত্য

বৈপরীত্য, শত্রুতা, বিরোধী দল, বৈষম্য, বিরোধ, বিরোধাভাস, দ্বন্দ্ব, মতভেদ, বিতর্ক, ঘর্ষণ

Meaning and definitions of antithesis, translation in Bangla language for antithesis with similar and opposite words. Also find spoken pronunciation of antithesis in Bangla and in English language.

What antithesis means in Bangla, antithesis meaning in Bangla, antithesis definition, examples and pronunciation of antithesis in Bangla language.

How to use BDWord

Topic Wise Words

Learn 3000+ common words, learn common gre words, learn words everyday.

Antithesis Meaning in Bengali

বাংলা অর্থ: বিপরীত বক্তব্য, বিপরীতার্থকতা

Part of Speech

Pronunciation.

[an-tuh-thee-sis]

Short Definition of Antithesis

Antithesis refers to the direct contrast or opposition between two things, often used to emphasize the differences between them.

Antithesis Synonyms

1. Opposite – বিপরীত (Noun)

2. Contrary – বিপরীত (Adjective)

3. Counterpart – বিপরীত (Noun)

4. Reverse – বিপরীত (Adjective)

Antithesis Antonyms

1. Similar – অনুরূপ (Adjective)

2. Same – একই (Adjective)

3. Alike – একই (Adjective)

4. Identical – একই (Adjective)

Origin of Antithesis

The word “antithesis” originated from the Latin word “antithesis,” which means “opposition” or “contrast.” It entered the English language in the 16th century.

Nearby Words

1. Antitrust – Noun

2. Antitoxin – Noun

3. Antithetical – Adjective

4. Antithyroid – Adjective

Antithesis in Literature Quotes

1. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” – Charles Dickens

এটি সেরা সময় ছিল, এটি সবচেয়ে খারাপ সময় ছিল।

2. “Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

ভালোবাসা একটি আদর্শ বস্তু, বিয়ে একটি বাস্তব বস্তু।

Definition of Antithesis

Antithesis is a literary device that refers to the juxtaposition of two opposing elements through the parallel grammatical structure. The word antithesis, meaning absolute opposite, is derived from Greek for “ setting opposite,” indicating when something or someone is in direct contrast or the obverse of another thing or person.

Antithesis is an effective literary and rhetorical device , as it pairs exact opposite or contrasting ideas by utilizing the parallel grammatical structure. This helps readers and audience members define concepts through contrast and develop an understanding of something through defining its opposite. In addition, through the use of parallelism , antithesis establishes a repetitive structure that makes for rhythmic writing and lyrical speech.

For example, Alexander Pope states in  An Essay on Criticism , “ To err is human ; to forgive divine.” Pope’s use of antithesis reflects the impact of this figure of speech in writing, as it creates a clear, memorable, and lyrical effect for the reader. In addition, Pope sets human error in contrast to divine forgiveness, allowing readers to understand that it is natural for people to make mistakes, and therefore worthy for others to absolve them when they do.

Examples of Antithesis in Everyday Speech

Antithesis is often used in everyday speech as a means of conveying opposing ideas in a concise and expressive way. Since antithesis is intended to be a figure of speech, such statements are not meant to be understood in a literal manner. Here are some examples of antithesis used in everyday speech:

• Go big or go home.
• Spicy food is heaven on the tongue but hell in the tummy.
• Those who can, do; those who can’t do, teach.
• Get busy living or get busy dying.
• Speech is silver but silence is gold.
• No pain, no gain.
• It’s not a show, friends; it’s show business.
• No guts, no glory.
• A moment on the lips; a lifetime on the hips.
• If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.

Common Examples of Antithesis from Famous Speeches

Antithesis can be an effective rhetorical device in terms of calling attention to drastic differences between opposing ideas and concepts. By highlighting the contrast side-by-side with the exact same structure, the speaker is able to impact an audience in a memorable and significant way. Here are some common examples of antithesis from famous speeches:

• “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character .” (Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream”)
• “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” (Abraham Lincoln “The Gettysburg Address”)
• “‘Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.'” (Edward Kennedy quoting Robert F. Kennedy during eulogy )
• “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change.” (John F. Kennedy “Presidential Inaugural Speech”)
• “You see, for any champion to succeed, he must have a team — a very incredible, special team; people that he can depend on, count on, and rely upon through everything — the highs and lows, the wins and losses, the victories and failures, and even the joys and heartaches that happen both on and off the court.” (Michael Chang “ Induction Speech for Tennis Hall of Fame”)

Examples of Proverbs Featuring Antithesis

Proverbs are simple and often traditional sayings that express insight into truths that are perceived, based on common sense or experience. These sayings are typically intended to be metaphorical and therefore rely on figures of speech such as antithesis. Proverbs that utilize antithetical parallelism feature an antithesis to bring together opposing ideas in defined contrast. Therefore, antithesis is effective as a literary device in proverbs by allowing the reader to consider one idea and then it’s opposite. It also makes for lyrical and easily remembered sayings.

Here are some examples of proverbs featuring antithesis:

• Cleanliness is next to godliness.
• Beggars can’t be choosers.
• Easy come, easy go.
• Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.
• Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.
• Like father, like son.
• Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
• An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.
• Be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.
• Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.
• If you can’t beat them, join them.
• Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.
• One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
• Out of sight, out of mind.
• Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Utilizing Antithesis in Writing

As a literary device, antithesis allows authors to add contrast to their writing. This is effective in terms of comparing two contrasting ideas, such as a character’s conflicting emotions or a setting’s opposing elements. In literature, antithesis doesn’t require a pairing of exact opposites, but rather concepts that are different and distinct. In addition, since antithesis creates a lyrical quality to writing through parallel structure , the rhythm of phrasing and wording should be as similar as possible. Like most literary and rhetorical devices, overuse of antithesis will create confusion or invoke boredom in a reader as well as make the writing seem forced.

Antithesis and Parallelism

Both terms demonstrate a fundamental difference. An antithesis comprises two contradictory ideas and parallelism does not necessarily comprise opposite ideas or persons. It could have more than two ideas or persons. As the name suggests that parallelism is a condition where is an antithesis is an opposition. For example, man proposes, God disposes, has two contradictory ideas. However, it is also a parallel sentence . Furthermore, parallelism occurs mostly in structure and less in ideas. Even similar ideas could occur in parallelism, while an antithesis has only dissimilar ideas.

Antithesis and Juxtaposition

As far as juxtaposition is concerned, it means placing two ideas together that are dissimilar. They need not be opposite to each other. In the case of antithesis, they must be opposite to each other as in the case of man proposes, God disposes. Not only these two ideas are dissimilar, but also they are opposite. In the case of juxtaposition, a poet only puts two ideas together and they are not opposed to each other.

Use of Antithesis in Sentences  

• As soon he dies, he becomes a dead living.
• Most people do not understand the value of money when the poor put money ahead of them.
• Some people make money, while some waste it.
• Although they have gone leaps ahead, they have also stepped back just in the nick of time.
• The public comes forward when there is prosperity and moves back when there is adversity.

Examples of Antithesis in Literature

Antithesis is an effective literary device and figure of speech in which a writer intentionally juxtaposes two contrasting ideas or entities. Antithesis is typically achieved through parallel structure, in which opposing concepts or elements are paired in adjacent phrases , clauses , or sentences. This draws the reader’s attention to the significance or importance of the agents being contrasted, thereby adding a memorable and meaningful quality to the literary work.

Here are some examples of antithesis in well-known works of literature:

Example 1:  Hamlet (William Shakespeare)

Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice ; Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.

In Shakespeare’s well-known play , he utilizes antithesis as a literary device for Polonius to deliver fatherly advice to his son before Laertes leaves for France. In these lines, Polonius pairs contrasting ideas such as listening and speaking using parallel structure. This adds a lyrical element to the wording, in addition to having a memorable and foreboding impact on the characters and audience members with the meaning of each line.

Despite the attempt by Polonius to impart logical thinking, measured response, and wise counsel to his son through antithesis, Laertes becomes so fixated on avenging his father’s death that his actions are impulsive and imprudent. Polonius’s antithetical words are not heeded by his son, resulting in the death of several characters including Hamlet and Laertes himself.

Example 2:  Paradise Lost  (John Milton)

Here at least We shall be free; the Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: Here we may reign secure, and in my choice To reign is worth ambition though in Hell: Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.

In Milton’s epic poem , he explores the Fall of Satan as well as the temptation and subsequent Fall of Man. This passage is spoken by Satan after he has been condemned to Hell by God for attempting to assume power and authority in Heaven. Satan is unrepentant of his actions, and wants to persuade his followers that Hell is preferable to Heaven.

Satan utilizes antithesis in the last line of this passage to encourage his rebellious followers to understand that, in Hell, they are free and rule their own destiny. In this line, Milton contrasts not just the ideas of Hell and Heaven, but also of reign and servitude as concepts applied to the angels , respectively. Pairing these opposites by using this literary device has two effects for the reader. First, Satan’s claim foreshadows his ability to use his words describing independence to tempt Eve, resulting in her and Adam’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Second, this antithesis invites the reader to consider Satan’s thought-process and experience to gain a deeper understanding of his motives in the poem.

Example 3:  Fire and Ice  (Robert Frost)

Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.

In his poem, Frost utilizes antithesis to contrast fire and ice as elements with devastating and catastrophic potential to end the world. Frost effectively demonstrates the equal powers for the destruction of these elements, despite showcasing them as opposing forces. In this case, the poet’s antithesis has a literal as well as figurative interpretation. As the poem indicates, the world could literally end in the fire as well as ice. However, fire and ice are contrasting symbols in the poem as well. Fire represents “desire,” most likely in the form of greed, the corruption of power, domination, and control. Conversely, ice represents “hate” in the form of prejudice, oppression, neglect, and isolation.

The presence of antithesis in the poem is effective for readers in that it evokes contrasting and powerful imagery of fire and ice as opposing yet physically destructive forces. In addition, the human characteristics associated with fire and ice, and what they represent as psychologically and socially destructive symbols, impact the reader in a powerful and memorable way as well. Antithesis elevates for the reader the understanding that the source of the end of the world may not be natural causes but rather human action or behavior; and that the end of the world may not be simply the destruction of the earth, but rather the destruction of humankind.

Example 4: The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives so that nation might live.

The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

These three examples from the address of Abraham Lincoln show the use of contradictory ideas put together in one sentence. They show how he mentions living and dead putting them side by side. This antithesis has helped Lincoln as well as America to come out of the ravages of the Civil War.

Function of Antithesis

An antithesis helps make an idea distinct and prominent when it contradicts another idea in the first part of the argument . This contrastive feature helps make readers make their argument solid, cogent, and eloquent. Sentences comprising anthesis also become easy to remember, quote, and recall when required. When an antithesis occurs in a text, it creates an argumentative atmosphere where a dialectic could take place and helps writers and speakers hook their audience easily with antithetical statements.

Synonyms of Antithesis

Antithesis has no exact synonyms but several words come closer in meanings such as opposite, reverse, converse, reversal, inverse, extreme, another side of the coin, or flip side or contrast.

Post navigation

Antithesis Definition

What is antithesis? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Antithesis is a figure of speech that juxtaposes two contrasting or opposing ideas, usually within parallel grammatical structures. For instance, Neil Armstrong used antithesis when he stepped onto the surface of the moon in 1969 and said, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." This is an example of antithesis because the two halves of the sentence mirror each other in grammatical structure, while together the two halves emphasize the incredible contrast between the individual experience of taking an ordinary step, and the extraordinary progress that Armstrong's step symbolized for the human race.

Some additional key details about antithesis:

• Antithesis works best when it is used in conjunction with parallelism (successive phrases that use the same grammatical structure), since the repetition of structure makes the contrast of the content of the phrases as clear as possible.
• The word "antithesis" has another meaning, which is to describe something as being the opposite of another thing. For example, "love is the antithesis of selfishness." This guide focuses only on antithesis as a literary device.
• The word antithesis has its origins in the Greek word antithenai , meaning "to oppose." The plural of antithesis is antitheses.

How to Pronounce Antithesis

Here's how to pronounce antithesis: an- tith -uh-sis

Antithesis and Parallelism

Often, but not always, antithesis works in tandem with parallelism . In parallelism, two components of a sentence (or pair of sentences) mirror one another by repeating grammatical elements. The following is a good example of both antithesis and parallelism:

To err is human , to forgive divine .

The two clauses of the sentence are parallel because each starts off with an infinitive verb and ends with an adjective ("human" and "divine"). The mirroring of these elements then works to emphasize the contrast in their content, particularly in the very strong opposite contrast between "human" and "divine."

Antithesis Without Parallelism

In most cases, antitheses involve parallel elements of the sentence—whether a pair of nouns, verbs, adjectives, or other grammar elements. However, it is also possible to have antithesis without such clear cut parallelism. In the Temptations Song "My Girl," the singer uses antithesis when he says:

"When it's cold outside , I've got the month of May ."

Here the sentence is clearly cut into two clauses on either side of the comma, and the contrasting elements are clear enough. However, strictly speaking there isn't true parallelism here because "cold outside" and "month of May" are different types of grammatical structures (an adjective phrase and a noun phrase, respectively).

Antithesis vs. Related Terms

Three literary terms that are often mistakenly used in the place of antithesis are juxtaposition , oxymoron , and foil . Each of these three terms does have to do with establishing a relationship of difference between two ideas or characters in a text, but beyond that there are significant differences between them.

Antithesis vs. Juxtaposition

In juxtaposition , two things or ideas are placed next to one another to draw attention to their differences or similarities. In juxtaposition, the pairing of two ideas is therefore not necessarily done to create a relationship of opposition or contradiction between them, as is the case with antithesis. So, while antithesis could be a type of juxtaposition, juxtaposition is not always antithesis.

Antithesis vs. Oxymoron

In an oxymoron , two seemingly contradictory words are placed together because their unlikely combination reveals a deeper truth. Some examples of oxymorons include:

• Sweet sorrow
• Cruel kindness
• Living dead

The focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions . While the words involved in oxymorons seem like they don't belong together (until you give them deeper thought), the words or ideas of antithesis do feel like they belong together even as they contrast as opposites. Further, antitheses seldom function by placing the two words or ideas right next to one another, so antitheses are usually made up of more than two words (as in, "I'd rather be among the living than among the dead").

Antithesis vs. Foil

Some Internet sources use "antithesis" to describe an author's decision to create two characters in a story that are direct opposites of one another—for instance, the protagonist and antagonist . But the correct term for this kind of opposition is a foil : a person or thing in a work of literature that contrasts with another thing in order to call attention to its qualities. While the sentence "the hare was fast, and the tortoise was slow" is an example of antithesis, if we step back and look at the story as a whole, the better term to describe the relationship between the characters of the tortoise and the hare is "foil," as in, "The character of the hare is a foil of the tortoise."

Antithesis Examples

Antithesis in literature.

Below are examples of antithesis from some of English literature's most acclaimed writers — and a comic book!

Antithesis in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

In the famous opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities , Dickens sets out a flowing list of antitheses punctuated by the repetition of the word "it was" at the beginning of each clause (which is itself an example of the figure of speech anaphora ). By building up this list of contrasts, Dickens sets the scene of the French Revolution that will serve as the setting of his tale by emphasizing the division and confusion of the era. The overwhelming accumulation of antitheses is also purposefully overdone; Dickens is using hyperbole to make fun of the "noisiest authorities" of the day and their exaggerated claims. The passage contains many examples of antithesis, each consisting of one pair of contrasting ideas that we've highlighted to make the structure clearer.

It was the best of times , it was the worst of times , it was the age of wisdom , it was the age of foolishness , it was the epoch of belief , it was the epoch of incredulity , it was the season of Light , it was the season of Darkness , it was the spring of hope , it was the winter of despair , we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven , we were all going direct the other way —in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

Antithesis in John Milton's Paradise Lost

In this verse from Paradise Lost , Milton's anti-hero , Satan, claims he's happier as the king of Hell than he could ever have been as a servant in Heaven. He justifies his rebellion against God with this pithy phrase, and the antithesis drives home the double contrast between Hell and Heaven, and between ruling and serving.

Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.

Antithesis in William Shakespeare's Othello

As the plot of Othello nears its climax , the antagonist of the play, Iago, pauses for a moment to acknowledge the significance of what is about to happen. Iago uses antithesis to contrast the two opposite potential outcomes of his villainous plot: either events will transpire in Iago's favor and he will come out on top, or his treachery will be discovered, ruining him.

This is the night That either makes me or fordoes me quite .

In this passage, the simple word "either" functions as a cue for the reader to expect some form of parallelism, because the "either" signals that a contrast between two things is coming.

Antithesis in William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Shakespeare's plays are full of antithesis, and so is Hamlet's most well-known "To be or not to be" soliloquy . This excerpt of the soliloquy is a good example of an antithesis that is not limited to a single word or short phrase. The first instance of antithesis here, where Hamlet announces the guiding question (" to be or not to be ") is followed by an elaboration of each idea ("to be" and "not to be") into metaphors that then form their own antithesis. Both instances of antithesis hinge on an " or " that divides the two contrasting options.

To be or not to be , that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them ...

Antithesis in T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets"

In this excerpt from his poem "Four Quartets," T.S. Eliot uses antithesis to describe the cycle of life, which is continuously passing from beginning to end, from rise to fall, and from old to new.

In my beginning is my end . In succession Houses rise and fall , crumble, are extended, Are removed, destroyed, restored, or in their place Is an open field, or a factory, or a by-pass. Old stone to new building , old timber to new fires ...

Antithesis in Green Lantern's Oath

Comic book writers know the power of antithesis too! In this catchy oath, Green Lantern uses antithesis to emphasize that his mission to defeat evil will endure no matter the conditions.

In brightest day , in blackest night , No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might Beware my power—Green lantern's light!

While most instances of antithesis are built around an "or" that signals the contrast between the two parts of the sentence, the Green Lantern oath works a bit differently. It's built around an implied "and" (to be technical, that first line of the oath is an asyndeton that replaces the "and" with a comma), because members of the Green Lantern corps are expressing their willingness to fight evil in all places, even very opposite environments.

Antithesis in Speeches

Many well-known speeches contain examples of antithesis. Speakers use antithesis to drive home the stakes of what they are saying, sometimes by contrasting two distinct visions of the future.

Antithesis in Patrick Henry's Speech to the Second Virginia Convention, 1775

This speech by famous American patriot Patrick Henry includes one of the most memorable and oft-quoted phrases from the era of the American Revolution. Here, Henry uses antithesis to emphasize just how highly he prizes liberty, and how deadly serious he is about his fight to achieve it.

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take: but as for me, give me liberty or give me death .

Antithesis in Martin Luther King Jr.'s Oberlin Commencement Address

In this speech by one of America's most well-known orators, antithesis allows Martin Luther King Jr. to highlight the contrast between two visions of the future; in the first vision, humans rise above their differences to cooperate with one another, while in the other humanity is doomed by infighting and division.

We must all learn to live together as brothers —or we will all perish together as fools .

Antithesis in Songs

In songs, contrasting two opposite ideas using antithesis can heighten the dramatic tension of a difficult decision, or express the singer's intense emotion—but whatever the context, antithesis is a useful tool for songwriters mainly because opposites are always easy to remember, so lyrics that use antithesis tend to stick in the head.

Antithesis in "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash (1981)

In this song by The Clash, the speaker is caught at a crossroads between two choices, and antithesis serves as the perfect tool to express just how confused and conflicted he is. The rhetorical question —whether to stay or to go—presents two opposing options, and the contrast between his lover's mood from one day (when everything is "fine") to the next (when it's all "black") explains the difficulty of his choice.

One day it's fine and next it's black So if you want me off your back Well, come on and let me know Should I stay or should I go ? Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble If I stay it will be double ...

Antithesis in "My Girl" by the Temptations (1965)

In this song, the singer uses a pair of metaphors to describe the feeling of joy that his lover brings him. This joy is expressed through antithesis, since the singer uses the miserable weather of a cloudy, cold day as the setting for the sunshine-filled month of May that "his girl" makes him feel inside, emphasizing the power of his emotions by contrasting them with the bleak weather.

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day When it's cold outside I've got the month of May Well I guess you'd say, What can make me feel this way? My girl, my girl, my girl Talkin' bout my girl.

Why Do Writers Use Antithesis?

Fundamentally, writers of all types use antithesis for its ability to create a clear contrast. This contrast can serve a number of purposes, as shown in the examples above. It can:

• Present a stark choice between two alternatives.
• Convey magnitude or range (i.e. "in brightest day, in darkest night" or "from the highest mountain, to the deepest valley").
• Express strong emotions.
• Create a relationship of opposition between two separate ideas.
• Accentuate the qualities and characteristics of one thing by placing it in opposition to another.

Whatever the case, antithesis almost always has the added benefit of making language more memorable to listeners and readers. The use of parallelism and other simple grammatical constructions like "either/or" help to establish opposition between concepts—and opposites have a way of sticking in the memory.

Other Helpful Antithesis Resources

• The Wikipedia page on Antithesis : A useful summary with associated examples, along with an extensive account of antithesis in the Gospel of Matthew.
• Sound bites from history : A list of examples of antithesis in famous political speeches from United States history — with audio clips!
• A blog post on antithesis : This quick rundown of antithesis focuses on a quote you may know from Muhammad Ali's philosophy of boxing: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

• PDFs for all 136 Lit Terms we cover
• Downloads of 1897 LitCharts Lit Guides
• Teacher Editions for every Lit Guide
• Explanations and citation info for 39,938 quotes across 1897 books
• Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play
• Climax (Figure of Speech)
• Figure of Speech
• Juxtaposition
• Parallelism
• Protagonist
• Rhetorical Question
• Dramatic Irony
• Figurative Language
• Pathetic Fallacy
• External Conflict
• Epanalepsis
• Rhyme Scheme
• Blank Verse

Antithesis Meaning In Bengali

সাধারণ উদাহরণ এবং সংজ্ঞা সহ antithesis এর আসল অর্থ জানুন।., definitions of antithesis.

1 . একজন ব্যক্তি বা জিনিস যা কারো বা অন্য কিছুর সরাসরি বিপরীত।

1 . a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

সমার্থক শব্দ

2 . (হেগেলীয় দর্শনে) দ্বান্দ্বিক যুক্তি প্রক্রিয়ার দ্বিতীয় পর্যায় হিসাবে থিসিসের অস্বীকার।

2 . (in Hegelian philosophy) the negation of the thesis as the second stage in the process of dialectical reasoning.

Examples of Antithesis :

1 . জোমো হল ফোমোর বিরোধী।

1 . jomo is the antithesis of fomo.

2 . এটা অদ্ভুত যৌনতার বিরোধী!

2 . that is the antithesis of freaky sex!

3 . প্রেম হল স্বার্থপরতার বিরোধী

3 . love is the antithesis of selfishness

4 . আর এই 4 ঘন্টার ফিল্মটি সম্পূর্ণ বিরোধী।

4 . And this 4-hour film is the complete antithesis .

5 . যাইহোক, এটি একটি প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বীর বিপরীত ছিল যা কেবল বৃদ্ধি পাবে।

5 . However, it was the antithesis of a rivalry that would only grow.

6 . থিসিস, অ্যান্টিথিসিস এবং সংশ্লেষণ হল থিমের উপাদান।

6 . thesis, antithesis , and synthesis are the components of the theme.

7 . এটি শুরু থেকেই "উদারনীতির বিরোধী" ছিল, যেমনটি আজ।

7 . It was the “ antithesis of liberalism” from the beginning, as it is today.

8 . এখন ইসরায়েল একটি নতুন থিসিস - মুসলমানরা এর বিরোধী - এবং সংশ্লেষণ?

8 . Now Israel is a new thesis – the Muslims its antithesis – and the synthesis?

9 . উত্তর হল, এন্টিফা এবং আইডেন্টিটি পলিটিক্স বামপন্থী।

9 . The answer is that Antifa and Identity Politics are the antithesis of the left.

10 . কার্বন নিঃসরণ ঝড় সৃষ্টি করে এমন ধারণা ঈশ্বর যা বলেছেন তার বিপরীত!

10 . The idea that carbon emissions cause storms is the antithesis of what God says!

11 . কিন্তু এ থেকে বাঁচার সবচেয়ে সহজ উপায় হল বিরোধীতার একদিকে চোখ বন্ধ করা।

11 . but the easiest way of escaping it is to shut our eyes to one side of the antithesis .

12 . তাদের মধ্যে আরও সম্পর্ক পোষ্ট করা এই মৌলিক বিরোধীতার উপর কোন প্রভাব ফেলে না।

12 . Postulating further relations between them has no effect on this fundamental antithesis .

13 . তিনি যদি সঠিক হন, তাহলে কেন বস্তুবাদ এবং সাম্রাজ্য-সমালোচনার মধ্যে বিরোধিতা ব্যাখ্যা করবেন না?

13 . If he is right, why not explain the antithesis between materialism and empirio-criticism?

14 . Kenshō, "The Antithesis of Goo", একটি গবেষণা-ভিত্তিক প্রাকৃতিক ওষুধ নির্দেশিকা চালু করেছে: GPgmail।

14 . kenshō,‘the antithesis of goop,' launches a research-based guide to natural medicine- gpgmail.

15 . "নিবিরু হল ক্লিংগন গ্রহের বিরোধী এবং উভয়ই পৃথিবী থেকে সম্পূর্ণ আলাদা।"

15 . "Nibiru is the antithesis of the Klingon planet and both are completely different from Earth."

16 . 20 শতকে হেগেলকে ট্রায়াড থিসিস, অ্যান্টিথিসিস এবং সংশ্লেষণের স্রষ্টা হিসাবে বিবেচনা করা হয়েছিল;

16 . hegel has been seen in the 20th century as the originator of the thesis, antithesis , synthesis triad;

17 . যেমন ফুলের আকৃতি, অ্যান্টিথিসিস টাইপ এবং বিভিন্ন পিকটোগ্রাফিক অক্ষর, শিল্প শব্দ ইত্যাদি।

17 . such as the shape of the flower, the antithesis type and various pictographic characters, art word, etc.

18 . "[স্পকের চরিত্রটি হল] আমি যা করি তা কেন করি তার বিরোধীতা," ল্যান্ডউকে তখন বলা হয়েছিল।

18 . “[The character of Spock is] the antithesis of why I do what I do,” Landau was quoted as saying back then.

19 . একটি ছোট শান্তিপূর্ণ ইউরোপীয় বেলারুশের বিরোধী হিসাবে আক্রমনাত্মক সাম্রাজ্যবাদী রাশিয়া কেবল একটি সুন্দর কিংবদন্তি।

19 . the aggressive imperial russia as the antithesis of a small european peaceful belarus is just a beautiful legend.

20 . আবার আমি জিজ্ঞাসা করি, কেন সায়েন্টোলজিকে একটি ধর্ম বলব যখন এর প্রতিষ্ঠাতা বিশ্বাস করেন যে তিনি ঈশ্বরের বিরোধী - শয়তান নিজেই?

20 . Again I ask, why call Scientology a religion when its founder believes he is the antithesis of God – the Devil himself?

Similar Words

Antithesis meaning in Bengali - Learn actual meaning of Antithesis with simple examples & definitions. Also you will learn Antonyms , synonyms & best example sentences. This dictionary also provide you 10 languages so you can find meaning of Antithesis in Hindi, Tamil , Telugu , Bengali , Kannada , Marathi , Malayalam , Gujarati , Punjabi , Urdu.

© 2024 UpToWord All rights reserved.

BD Dictionary

Antithesis meaning in bengali - antithesis অর্থ, more meaning for antithesis, বাক্যে antithesis শব্দটির ব্যবহার.

• his theory is the antithesis of mine.
• Browse the Dictionary

Subscribe for newsletter to get new & updated word meanings

About Us | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy |

© 2024 Dictionarybd.com All Rights Reserved.

Word-Meaning

Antithesis meaning in bengali | antithesis বাংলায় অর্থ.

Antithesis – আপনি এখানে শব্দের অর্থ (Meaning), সংজ্ঞা (Explanation), ব্যাখ্যা (Defination) এবং সিনট্যাক্টিক উদাহরণগুলি (Examples) পড়তে পারেন.

Category : বিশেষ্য

Meaning of Antithesis In Bengali

Antithesis = বিরোধী

Antithesis Synonyms in Bengali

Antithesis explanation in bengali / definition of antithesis in bengali.

• কোনও ব্যক্তি বা জিনিস যা কারও বা অন্য কোনও কিছুর সরাসরি বিপরীত।

Bengali example sentences with Antithesis

• love is the antithesis of selfishness — ভালবাসা স্বার্থপরতার বিরোধী it

Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of antithesis.

Antithesis is the use of contrasting concepts, words, or sentences within parallel grammatical structures. This combination of a balanced structure with opposite ideas serves to highlight the contrast between them. For example, the following famous Muhammad Ali quote is an example of antithesis: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” This is an antithesis example because there is the contrast between the animals and their actions (the peaceful floating butterfly versus the aggressive stinging bee) combined with the parallel grammatical structure of similes indicated by “like a.” Ali is indicating the contrasting skills necessary to be a good boxer.

Difference Between Antithesis and Juxtaposition

Antithesis is very similar to juxtaposition , as juxtaposition also sets two different things close to each other to emphasize the difference between them. However, juxtaposition does not necessarily deal with completely opposite ideas—sometimes the juxtaposition may be between two similar things so that the reader will notice the subtle differences. Juxtaposition also does not necessitate a parallel grammatical structure. The definition of antithesis requires this balanced grammatical structure.

Common Examples of Antithesis

The use of antithesis is very popular in speeches and common idioms, as the inherent contrasts often make antithesis quite memorable. Here are some examples of antithesis from famous speeches:

• “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” –John F. Kennedy Jr.
• “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” –Barack Obama
• “Decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent.” –Winston Churchill
• “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” –Abraham Lincoln

Significance of Antithesis in Literature

Antithesis can be a helpful tool for the author both to show a character’s mindset and to set up an argument . If the antithesis is something that the character is thinking, the audience can better understand the full scope of that character’s thoughts. While antithesis is not the most ubiquitous of literary devices , some authors use antithesis quite extensively, such as William Shakespeare. Many of his sonnets and plays include examples of antithesis.

Examples of Antithesis in Literature

HAMLET: To be, or not to be, that is the question— Whether ’tis Nobler in the mind to suffer The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune, Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them?

( Hamlet by William Shakespeare)

Arguably the most famous six words in all of Shakespeare’s work are an example of antithesis. Hamlet considers the important question of “to be, or not to be.” In this line, he is considering the very nature of existence itself. Though the line is quite simple in form it contrasts these very important opposite states. Hamlet sets up his soliloquy with this antithesis and continues with others, including the contrast between suffering whatever fortune has to offer or opposing his troubles. This is a good example of Shakespeare using antithesis to present to the audience or readers Hamlet’s inner life and the range of his thinking.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…

( A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)

The opening paragraph of Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities employs many different literary devices all at once. There are many examples of antithesis back-to-back, starting with the first contrast between “the best of times” and “the worst of times.” Each pair of contrasting opposites uses a parallel structure to emphasize their differences. Dickens uses these antithetical pairs to show what a tumultuous time it was during the setting of his book. In this case, the use of antithesis is a rhetorical device that foreshadows the conflicts that will be central to the novel.

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn’t have to; but if he didn’t want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.

( Catch-22 by Joseph Heller)

In Joseph Heller’s classic anti-war novel Catch-22 , Heller uses a specific type of humor in which antithetical statements show the true absurdity of war. This very famous quote explains the concept of the “Catch-22,” which became a popular idiomatic expression because of the book. In fact, this example is not so much an antithetical statement but instead an antithetical situation. That is to say, the two possible outcomes for Orr are opposite: either he’s deemed crazy and would thus not be forced to fly any more combat missions, or he’s sane and then would indeed have to fly them. However, the one situation negates the possibility of the other, as only a sane man would be clear-headed enough to ask not to fly more missions.

This case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant.

( To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)

In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird , Atticus Finch is a lawyer representing Tom Robinson. Atticus presents the above statement to the jury, setting up an antithesis. He asserts that the case is not difficult and yet requires the jury to be absolutely sure of their decision. Atticus believes the case to have a very obvious conclusion, and hopes that the jury will agree with him, but he is also aware of the societal tensions at work that will complicate the case.

Test Your Knowledge of Antithesis

1. What is the correct antithesis definition? A. Using two very similar concepts and showing their subtle differences. B. Setting up a contrast between two opposite ideas or phrases in a balanced grammatical structure. C. Using words to convey an opposite meaning to their literal sense.

2. What is the difference between antithesis and juxtaposition? A. They are exactly the same device. B. They are completely different literary devices. C. Antithesis parallels opposite concepts, while juxtaposition sets up a comparison and contrast between two concepts that can be either similar or different.

3. Which of the following quotes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth contains an example of antithesis? A. 

WITCHES: Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.

MACBETH: Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?

WITCHES: Something wicked this way comes.

4. Which of the following quotes from Heller’s Catch-22 contains an example of antithesis? A. There are now fifty or sixty countries fighting in this war. Surely so many counties can’t all be worth dying for. B. He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt, and his only mission each time he went up was to come down alive. C. You’re inches away from death every time you go on a mission. How much older can you be at your age?

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• How to Use Antithesis

I. What is an Antithesis?

“Antithesis” literally means “opposite” – it is usually the opposite of a statement, concept, or idea. In literary analysis, an antithesis is a pair of statements or images in which the one reverses the other. The pair is written with similar grammatical structures to show more contrast. Antithesis (pronounced an-TITH-eh-sis) is used to emphasize a concept, idea, or conclusion.

II. Examples of Antithesis

That’s one small step for a man – one giant leap for mankind .  (Neil Armstrong, 1969)

In this example, Armstrong is referring to man walking on the moon. Although taking a step is an ordinary activity for most people, taking a step on the moon, in outer space, is a major achievement for all humanity.

To err is human ; to forgive , divine . (Alexander Pope)

This example is used to point out that humans possess both worldly and godly qualities; they can all make mistakes, but they also have the power to free others from blame.

The world will little note , nor long remember , what we say here, but it can never forget what they did  (Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address )

In his speech, Lincoln points out that the details of that moment may not be memorable, but the actions would make history, and therefore, never entirely forgotten.

Antithesis can be a little tricky to see at first. To start, notice how each of these examples is separated into two parts . The parts are separated either by a dash, a semicolon, or the word “but.” Antithesis always has this multi-part structure (usually there are two parts, but sometimes it can be more, as we’ll see in later examples). The parts are not always as obvious as they are in these examples, but they will always be there.

Next, notice how the second part of each example contains terms that reverse or invert terms in the first part: small step vs. giant leap; human vs. divine; we say vs. they do. In each of the examples, there are several pairs of contrasted terms between the first part and the second, which is quite common in antithesis.

Finally, notice that each of the examples contains some parallel structures and ideas in addition to the opposites. This is key! The two parts are not simply contradictory statements. They are a matched pair that have many grammatical structures or concepts in common; in the details, however, they are opposites.

For example, look at the parallel grammar of Example 1: the word “one,” followed by an adjective, a noun, and then the word “for.” This accentuates the opposites by setting them against a backdrop of sameness – in other words, two very different ideas are being expressed with very, very similar grammatical structures.

To recap: antithesis has three things:

• Two or more parts
• Reversed or inverted ideas
• (usually) parallel grammatical structure

III. The Importance of Verisimilitude

Antithesis is basically a complex form of juxtaposition . So its effects are fairly similar – by contrasting one thing against its opposite, a writer or speaker can emphasize the key attributes of whatever they’re talking about. In the Neil Armstrong quote, for example, the tremendous significance of the first step on the moon is made more vivid by contrasting it with the smallness and ordinariness of the motion that brought it about.

Antithesis can also be used to express curious contradictions or paradoxes. Again, the Neil Armstrong quote is a good example: Armstrong is inviting his listeners to puzzle over the fact that a tiny, ordinary step – not so different from the millions of steps we take each day – can represent so massive a technological accomplishment as the moon landing.

Paradoxically, an antithesis can also be used to show how two seeming opposites might in fact be similar.

IV. Examples of Verisimilitude in Literature

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Forgive us this day our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us . (The Lord’s Prayer)

The antithesis is doing a lot of work here. First, it shows the parallel between committing an evil act and being the victim of one. On the surface, these are opposites, and this is part of the antithesis, but at the same time they are, in the end, the same act from different perspectives. This part of the antithesis is basically just an expression of the Golden Rule.

Second, the antithesis displays a parallel between the speaker (a human) and the one being spoken to (God). The prayer is a request for divine mercy, and at the same time a reminder that human beings should also be merciful.

All the joy the world contains has come through wanting happiness for others . All the misery the world contains has come through wanting pleasure for yourself . (Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva )

The antithesis here comes with some pretty intense parallel structure. Most of the words in each sentence are exactly the same as those in the other sentence. (“All the ___ the world contains has come through wanting ____ for ____.”) This close parallel structure makes the antithesis all the more striking, since the words that differ become much more visible.

Another interesting feature of this antithesis is that it makes “pleasure” and “happiness” seem like opposites, when most of us might think of them as more or less synonymous. The quote makes happiness seem noble and exalted, whereas pleasure is portrayed as selfish and worthless.

The proper function of man is to live , not to exist . I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong  (Jack London, Credo )

The opening antithesis here gets its punch from the fact that we think of living and existing as pretty similar terms. But for London, they are opposites. Living is about having vivid experiences, learning, and being bold; simply existing is a dull, pointless thing. These two apparently similar words are used in this antithesis to emphasize the importance of living as opposed to mere existing.

The second antithesis, on the other hand, is just the opposite – in this case, London is taking two words that seem somewhat opposed (waste and prolong), and telling us that they are in fact the same . Prolonging something is making it last; wasting something is letting it run out too soon. But, says London, when it comes to life, they are the same. If you try too hard to prolong your days (that is, if you’re so worried about dying that you never face your fears and live your life), then you will end up wasting them because you will never do anything worthwhile.

V. Examples of Verisimilitude in Pop Culture

Everybody doesn’t like something, but nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee. (Sara Lee pastry advertisement)

This classic ad uses antithesis to set up a deliberate grammatical error. This is a common technique in advertising, since people are more likely to remember a slogan that is grammatically incorrect. (Even if they only remember it because they found it irritating, it still sticks in their brain, which is all that an ad needs to do.) The antithesis helps make the meaning clear, and throws the grammatical error into sharper relief.

What men must know , a boy must learn . (The Lookouts)

Here’s another example of how parallel structure can turn into antithesis fairly easily. (The structure is noun-“must”-verb. ) The antithesis also expresses the basic narrative of The Lookouts , which is all about kids learning to fend for themselves and become full-fledged adults.

Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (the band “AFI” – album title)

The antithesis here is a juxtaposition of two different actions (opening and shutting) that are actually part of the same sort of behavior – the behavior of somebody who wants to understand the world rather than be the center of attention. It’s basically a restatement of the old adage that “those who speak the most often have the least to say.”

VI. Related Terms

• Juxtaposition

Antithesis is basically a form of juxtaposition . Juxtaposition, though, is a much broader device that encompasses any deliberate use of contrast or contradiction by an author. So, in addition to antithesis, it might include:

• The scene in “The Godfather” where a series of brutal murders is intercut with shots of a baptism, juxtaposing birth and death.
• “A Song of Ice and Fire” (George R. R. Martin book series)
• Heaven and Hell
• Mountains and the sea
• Dead or alive
• “In sickness and in health”

Antithesis performs a very similar function, but does so in a more complicated way by using full sentences (rather than single words or images) to express the two halves of the juxtaposition.

Here is an antithesis built around some of the common expressions from above

• “ Sheep go to Heaven ; goats go to Hell .”
• “Beethoven’s music is as mighty as the mountains and as timeless as the sea .”
• “In sickness he loved me; in health he abandoned ”

Notice how the antithesis builds an entire statement around the much simpler juxtaposition. And, crucially, notice that each of those statements exhibits parallel grammatical structure . In this way, both Juxtaposition and parallel structures can be used to transform a simple comparison, into antithesis.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

• English Grammar
• Figures Of Speech

Antithesis: Meaning, Definition and Examples

Figures of speech , otherwise known as rhetorical devices, are used in the English language to beautify and make your language look and sound a lot more effective rather than a literal presentation of information. Each figure of speech has its function and is meant to perform its roles giving the context a unique effect. In this article, you will learn about one such figure of speech called antithesis. Read through the article to learn more about what antithesis is, its definition and how it differs from an oxymoron. You can also check out the examples and analyse how it is written for an in-depth understanding of the same.

Table of Contents

What is antithesis – meaning and definition, what differentiates an antithesis from an oxymoron, some common examples of antithesis, frequently asked questions on antithesis.

An antithesis is a figure of speech that states strongly contrasting ideas placed in juxtaposition. They contain compound sentences with the two independent clauses separated by a comma or a semicolon , in most cases. However, there are also instances where the antithesis is a compound sentence with a conjunction . An antithesis is mainly used to portray the stark difference between the two opposing ideas.

Antithesis, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a contrast between two things”, and according to the Cambridge Dictionary, “a difference or opposition between two things”. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives a more explanatory definition. According to it, antithesis is “the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences”.

Knowing the difference between an antithesis and an oxymoron will help you comprehend and use both the rhetorical devices effectively. Take a look at the table given below to learn more.

Here are some of the most common examples of antithesis for your reference.

• Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.
• Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.
• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” – Charles Dickens
• “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong
• “Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven.” – John Milton
• Speech is silver, but silence is gold.
• “Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.” – William Shakespeare
• Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.
• “To err is human; to forgive divine.” – Alexander Pope
• Money is the root of all evil: poverty is the fruit of all goodness.

What is antithesis?

An antithesis is a figure of speech that states strongly contrasting ideas placed in juxtaposition. They contain compound sentences with the two independent clauses separated by a comma or a semicolon, in most cases. However, there are also instances where the antithesis is a compound sentence with a conjunction.

What is the definition of antithesis?

What is the difference between antithesis and oxymoron.

The main difference between an antithesis and an oxymoron is that antithesis refers to the use of two contrasting ideas or thoughts conveyed in two independent clauses placed in juxtaposition, separated by a comma, a semicolon or a conjunction; whereas, the term ‘oxymoron’ refers to the use of two opposite words within a phrase to create an effect.

Give some examples of antithesis.

Here are a few examples of antithesis for your reference.

• “Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.” – Goethe
• “Folks who have no vices have very few virtues.” – Abraham Lincoln
• “Man proposes, God disposes.”
• Beggars can’t be choosers.
• Be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

• Share Share

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Definition of antithesis

Did you know.

Writers and speechmakers use the traditional pattern known as antithesis for its resounding effect; John Kennedy's famous "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" is an example. But antithesis normally means simply "opposite". Thus, war is the antithesis of peace, wealth is the antithesis of poverty, and love is the antithesis of hate. Holding two antithetical ideas in one's head at the same time—for example, that you're the sole master of your fate but also the helpless victim of your terrible upbringing—is so common as to be almost normal.

Examples of antithesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antithesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, opposition, from antitithenai to oppose, from anti- + tithenai to set — more at do

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1)

Dictionary Entries Near antithesis

anti-theoretical

Cite this Entry

“Antithesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antithesis. Accessed 2 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of antithesis, more from merriam-webster on antithesis.

Nglish: Translation of antithesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of antithesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antithesis

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

The tangled history of 'it's' and 'its', more commonly misspelled words, why does english have so many silent letters, your vs. you're: how to use them correctly, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - mar. 29, 10 scrabble words without any vowels, 12 more bird names that sound like insults (and sometimes are), 8 uncommon words related to love, 9 superb owl words, games & quizzes.

English Bengali Dictionary | ইংরেজি বাংলা অভিধান

The keyboard uses the ISCII layout developed by the Government of India. It is also used in Windows, Apple and other systems. There is a base layout, and an alternative layout when the Shift key is pressed. If you have any questions about it, please contact us.

• Pronunciation
• Word Network
• Inflections
• More matches
• Word Finder

opposite - Meaning in Bengali

• প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বী ব্যক্তি

adjective 

Abverb , preposition , opposite word forms & inflections, definitions and meaning of opposite in english, opposite adjective.

• "opposite leaves"
• diametric , diametrical , polar
• "diametrical (or opposite) points of view"
• "extreme and indefensible polar positions"
• "in diametric contradiction to his claims"
• "opposite meanings"
• "it is said that opposite characters make a union happiest"
• "the medicine's effect was opposite to that intended"
• "the opposite sex"
• "the two chess kings are set up on squares of opposite colors"
• "And I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm"
• "at opposite poles"
• "we lived on opposite sides of the street"
• "looking in opposite directions"
• "they went in opposite directions"

opposite abverb

face to face , face to face , face-to-face

• "lived all their lives in houses face-to-face across the street"
• "the two photographs lay face-to-face on the table"
• "they sat opposite at the table"

opposite noun

• antonym , opposite word
• "to him the antonym of `gay' was `depressed'"

opponent , opposition , opposition

• contrary , reverse
• "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"
• "when the direct approach failed he tried the inverse"

Synonyms of opposite

• opponent , opposition
• face to face , face-to-face

Antonyms of opposite

More matches for opposite.

What is another word for opposite ?

Sentences with the word opposite

Words that rhyme with opposite

English Bengali Translator

Words starting with

What is opposite meaning in bengali.

Other languages: opposite meaning in Hindi

Tags for the entry "opposite"

What is opposite meaning in Bengali, opposite translation in Bengali, opposite definition, pronunciations and examples of opposite in Bengali.

SHABDKOSH Apps

Ad-free experience & much more

Difference between I and Me

Basic rules of grammar

20 important phrases to learn in Hindi

Our Apps are nice too!

Dictionary. Translation. Vocabulary. Games. Quotes. Forums. Lists. And more...

Vocabulary & Quizzes

Try our vocabulary lists and quizzes.

Vocabulary Lists

We provide a facility to save words in lists.

Basic Word Lists

Custom word lists.

You can create your own lists to words based on topics.

Login/Register

To manage lists, a member account is necessary.

Share with friends

Social sign-in.

Translation

If you want to access full services of shabdkosh.com

Please help Us by disabling your ad blockers.

or try our SHABDKOSH Premium for ads free experience.

Steps to disable Ads Blockers.

• Click on ad blocker extension icon from browser's toolbar.
• Choose the option that disables or pauses Ad blocker on this page.
• Refresh the page.

Spelling Bee

Hear the words in multiple accents and then enter the spelling. The games gets challenging as you succeed and gets easier if you find the words not so easy.

The game will show the clue or a hint to describe the word which you have to guess. It’s our way of making the classic hangman game!

Antonym Match

Choose the right opposite word from a choice of four possible words. We have thousand of antonym words to play!

Language Resources

Get our apps, keep in touch.

• © 2024 SHABDKOSH.COM, All Rights Reserved.
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Liked Words

Shabdkosh Premium

Try SHABDKOSH Premium and get

• Ad free experience.
• No limit on translation.
• Bilingual synonyms translations.
• Access to all Vocabulary Lists and Quizzes.
• Copy meanings.

Already a Premium user?

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Translation of example – English–Bengali dictionary

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

example noun [C] ( TYPICAL CASE )

• This church is a perfect example of medieval architecture .
• 'She', 'it', and 'who' are all examples of pronouns.
• An early example of privatization was the enclosure of public land for private use by wealthy landlords .
• He's a classic example of a kid who's clever but lazy .
• Sweden is often held up as an example of a successful social democracy .

example noun [C] ( BEHAVIOUR )

• Mother Teresa's goodness is an example to us all.
• She was an inspiring example to her followers .
• Senior pupils are expected to set an example to the younger children .
• Mary always gets on with her homework after tea - why don't you follow her example?
• What kind of an example are the players setting to their fans , with this kind of violent and offensive behaviour ?

(Translation of example from the Cambridge English–Bengali Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of example

Get a quick, free translation!

Word of the Day

peanut butter (= a soft food made from crushed peanuts) and jam (= a soft sweet food made from fruit and sugar), or a sandwich with these inside. PB&J is short for peanut butter and jelly.

Sitting on the fence (Newspaper idioms)

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• example (TYPICAL CASE)
• for example
• example (BEHAVIOUR)
• Translations
• All translations

Add example to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.