antithesis

[/ænˈtɪθəsɪs/]
nounpl: antitheses
antítese
1. A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else
He is the antithesis of a coward.
Ele é a antítese de um covarde.
2. A rhetorical device in which contrasting ideas are placed in close proximity to emphasize their differences
The phrase 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' is a famous antithesis.
A frase 'era o melhor dos tempos, era o pior dos tempos' é uma antítese famosa.
3. In philosophy, the second stage of a dialectical process, representing opposition to a thesis
In Hegelian dialectic, the antithesis challenges the original thesis.
Na dialética hegeliana, a antítese desafia a tese original.
The term 'antithesis' is predominantly used in academic, literary, and philosophical contexts in both Brazilian and American English. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'antítese' is the standard translation and is commonly employed in educational settings, rhetoric studies, and formal discourse. The concept is fundamental to understanding classical rhetoric and dialectical reasoning taught in universities.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
oppositecontrastcontradictioninversecounterpart
Antonyms / Antônimos
similarityagreementharmonythesissynthesis

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
antítese
Standard usage in formal and academic contexts
Rio de Janeiro
antítese
Common in academic and literary discussions
São Paulo
antítese
Widely used in business and academic Portuguese
Portugal
antítese
Identical usage; formal term in European Portuguese

Related Words

antitheticaldialecticparadoxjuxtapositionopposition

Related Idioms & Phrases

the antithesis of perfection
complete antithesis
stark antithesis
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