2

I want to communicate that something is being the exact opposite, or the "antithesis" of something else.

For example:

The ice <antithesis verb> the fire

Words I've thought of that come close in meaning, but don't fit:

  • juxtaposes
  • inverts
  • contrasts
6
  • You could say "Ice is antithetical to fire" Nov 22, 2017 at 10:49
  • 2
    The verb 'antithesise' is given in Wiktionary, but with the meaning 'create antitheses' not 'be antithetical to'. I'd avoid it totally. Nov 22, 2017 at 10:51
  • 1
    Unfortunately this one sentence doesn't give us enough information about the sense of opposition. "Conflicts with" or "complements" might work in different senses, but without more context, we might have to go with a generic "opposes".
    – Spencer
    Nov 22, 2017 at 11:00
  • 2
    Agreed, it's too context dependent. A more left field option might be ice balances fire.
    – JonLarby
    Nov 22, 2017 at 11:07
  • 2
    1.Countervails 2.Nullifies
    – user206150
    Nov 22, 2017 at 12:02

3 Answers 3

1

contradict

to be contrary or opposed to; go against:

Fire contradicts ice.

Read more at http://www.yourdictionary.com/contradict

1
  • I like this better than "counteracts." Marking as accepted. Thank you Nov 27, 2017 at 15:42
1

"counteracts" comes to mind.

  • from MW - "neutralize the usually ill effects of by means of an opposite force, action, or influence"

Ice counteracts fire. Not always though. As Frost has stated figuratively, in his most popular poem, both fire and ice are great for destruction.

1
  • 1
    That's a good one. Might mark this as the accepted depending on what else is suggested. Nov 22, 2017 at 17:35
-1

How about "The ice is antagonistic to the fire"?

1
  • 1
    Don't leave signatures under your post, especially if they contain spammy links.
    – Glorfindel
    Dec 1, 2017 at 20:22

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.