perfectly opposite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly opposite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two things that are completely contrary or diametrically opposed to each other. Example: "Their opinions on the matter were perfectly opposite, leading to a heated debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And although the Times's Benedict Nightingale also liked Law, he manages to do so for perfectly opposite reasons.

The Guardian

2.17pm BST Ranking member Henry Waxman, Democrat of California, begins in a perfectly opposite direction from Upton.

The Guardian

He also says that "the considerable appeal of seeing two fine actors as perfectly opposite each other like Duvall and Downey — one a rigid old cowboy, the other a manic pinball — is limited by the film's ceaseless heart string-pulling".

Los Angeles Times

The results do not show a clear superiority of this position, which has to measure at least equal values as the perfectly opposite medial position.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Hotel Suisse (doubles from €87 B&B, hotel-suisse.com) is perfectly placed opposite the cathedral and Room 33 has a view of the towering pink spire.

The Guardian - Travel

Two years later she starred in the Neil Simon comedy, The Prisoner of Second Avenue - a welcome return to comedy where she was perfectly cast opposite the frenetic Jack Lemmon.

The Guardian - Film

Watch on YouTube Donning a blonde wig, Winona was perfectly cast opposite Johnny Depp as the love interest in Tim Burton's highly stylised Frankenstein-update. Reading on mobile?

The Guardian - Film

While Tunney once remarked that he found "no joy in knocking people unconscious," he had a run of K.O.'s by the mid-'20s that drew huge crowds and the eye of Dempsey, in whom he had a perfectly matched opposite.

The New York Times

What we call chemistry between two lovers is the unconscious matching of perfectly balanced opposite personality types.

Huffington Post

Union of opposites: our hearts softened in perfectly diametric ways.

The New York Times

So what happened?The key is that matter and antimatter are not, in fact, perfectly equal and opposite.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "perfectly opposite", ensure that the context clearly establishes the two elements being contrasted. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly opposite" when the elements are merely different or dissimilar, rather than being truly contradictory. Overusing it dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly opposite" functions as an adverb-adjective combination intensifying the degree of opposition. It serves to emphasize that two things are not just different but are at completely opposing ends of a spectrum or concept. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perfectly opposite" is a grammatically correct and uncommon expression used to emphasize a complete contrast between two elements. As per Ludwig, it functions as an adverb-adjective combination, serving to intensify the degree of opposition. Usage spans across news, scientific, and wiki contexts, indicating a neutral register. To ensure clarity in writing, it's important to establish the elements being contrasted. While synonyms like "diametrically opposed" or "entirely contrary" exist, "perfectly opposite" succinctly conveys the idea of absolute opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diametrically opposed

Emphasizes the complete opposition as if on a diameter, suggesting an exact and polar contrast.

entirely contrary

Focuses on the complete contradiction between two things, highlighting a total disagreement.

utterly different

Highlights the complete lack of similarity, emphasizing the distinct nature of the items being compared.

completely dissimilar

Underscores the total absence of resemblance, stressing the uniqueness of each item.

absolutely contrasting

Stresses the sharp difference and clear distinction between the items being compared.

poles apart

Uses a spatial metaphor to indicate that the items are as far from each other as possible.

in total opposition

Directly states that the items are in complete conflict or disagreement.

at opposite extremes

Indicates that the items are at the furthest possible points on a spectrum or scale.

directly inverse

Highlights an exact reversal or opposite relationship, often used in scientific or mathematical contexts.

exactly contradictory

Emphasizes the direct opposition and mutual exclusiveness of the items being compared.

FAQs

How can I use "perfectly opposite" in a sentence?

Use "perfectly opposite" to describe two things that are completely contrary to each other. For example, "Their political views were "perfectly opposite", leading to frequent disagreements."

What's a synonym for "perfectly opposite"?

Alternatives include "diametrically opposed", "entirely contrary", or "utterly different". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "perfect opposite" or "perfectly opposite"?

"Perfectly opposite" is generally preferred because "perfectly" modifies "opposite" more precisely, indicating the degree of opposition. "Perfect opposite" can sound less formal or slightly awkward.

What is the difference between "opposite" and "perfectly opposite"?

"Opposite" simply indicates a contrast, while "perfectly opposite" emphasizes that the contrast is complete and absolute. "Perfectly opposite" suggests there are no shared qualities or common ground.