antithetical

USAGE SUMMARY

"antithetical" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe two opposite ideas, or things that are completely different from each other. For example: "The two sides of the debate were antithetical; one side argued for deregulation of the industry, while the other side argued for stronger government regulation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A handful of casual references in which pleasure is one's own are slickly antithetical to any male musician – from Serge Gainsbourg to Skinny Puppy – who ever plunked the sound of a woman moaning into a song for the sake of masculine bravado.

The Guardian - Music

A lawyer for Fox said on Thursday that the lawsuit over the no-go zones was "antithetical to free speech".

The Guardian

He seems to have come to terms with the fact that popularity isn't necessarily antithetical to quality.

The Guardian - Books

That the two things could so glibly be judged antithetical is itself a symptom of deep Conservative difficulty with these issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has derided a claim by another former senior Amnesty figure a few years ago that Cage's promotion of "defensive jihad" is "not antithetical to human rights".Ms Sahgal, who later co-founded a group called the Centre for Secular Space, returned to the fray this month after the revelation of Cage's connection to Mr Emwazi and its blaming of MI5 for his radicalisation and brutality.

The Economist

Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida, casts the debate about post-Newtown gun controls as an either/or question, in which gun curbs and improved mental health are somehow antithetical.

The Economist

And when Republicans were riding high in 2002, as was George Bush, Gallup did the same survey and got nearly antithetical results.

The Economist

But conservationists have posited that commerce and conservation are antithetical.

The Economist

Not only is it not a form of liberalism; it is antithetical to liberalism… It is an undemocratic creed".On the surface, President Obama's call to respect other religions seems sensible.

The Economist

Mr Boesky delivered a famous speech in 1986 in which he reportedly said "I think greed is healthy .This view is completely antithetical to the views of Michael Milken, who has given away or raised more than $1.1 billion for education and medical research since the 1970s.

The Economist

The answer, in a nutshell, is Ralph Fiennes".Faith Healer", about a man who may or may not be a quack, is antithetical to the sort of high-octane Big Moment theatre on which Broadway thrives.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "antithetical", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of the opposing elements, avoiding ambiguity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "antithetical" for minor differences or disagreements. This word denotes a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict, not mere contrasts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "antithetical" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a direct and fundamental opposition or contradiction, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "beliefs are antithetical" and "commerce and conservation are antithetical."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "antithetical" is an adjective used to describe things that are fundamentally opposed or irreconcilable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, use "antithetical" to emphasize strong opposition and avoid using it for minor disagreements. Consider alternatives such as "diametrically opposed" or "irreconcilable" for nuanced meanings. Ensure clarity in your writing, using "antithetical" to highlight irreconcilable differences with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diametrically opposed

Emphasizes the direct opposition, positioning concepts on opposite extremes.

mutually exclusive

Highlights the impossibility of both concepts existing or being true simultaneously.

irreconcilable

Focuses on the inability to bring two things into agreement or harmony.

in direct opposition

Directly states that two things are against each other.

completely contradictory

Underscores the absolute contradiction between two concepts.

at odds

Suggests a state of conflict or disagreement.

incompatible

Indicates that two things cannot coexist or function together effectively.

contrary to

Implies a direct contradiction or opposition to a specific idea or principle.

adverse

Highlights the negative or harmful opposition between two things.

conflicting with

Emphasizes the clash or struggle between two opposing forces or ideas.

FAQs

How do you use "antithetical" in a sentence?

You can use "antithetical" to describe things that are directly opposed or incompatible. For example, "His beliefs are "antithetical" to the values of our community."

What's the difference between "antithetical" and "opposite"?

"Opposite" generally refers to things that are contrary to each other, while "antithetical" implies a more fundamental and irreconcilable opposition. "Antithetical" suggests a complete incompatibility.

What can I say instead of "antithetical"?

Alternatives include "diametrically opposed", "mutually exclusive", or "irreconcilable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "slightly antithetical"?

No, "antithetical" implies a strong and fundamental opposition. Using "slightly" with "antithetical" creates a contradiction, as it suggests a minor incompatibility, which doesn't align with the strong meaning of "antithetical".