antistrophe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very rare, specialized)Formal, literary, academic (especially classics, rhetoric, literary criticism)
Quick answer
What does “antistrophe” mean?
In rhetoric, the repetition of words in reverse order.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In rhetoric, the repetition of words in reverse order; in Greek drama, the second part of an ode chanted by the chorus as it moves in the opposite direction to the strophe.
Any deliberate reversal of direction, order, or position; a turning back or counterpoint.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is equally rare and confined to the same academic/literary registers in both varieties.
Connotations
Scholarly, precise, associated with deep analysis of classical texts or formal rhetorical structure.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in a UK classical studies context due to traditional emphasis, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “antistrophe” in a Sentence
The [strophe] is followed by the antistrophe.The chorus performed the antistrophe.In rhetoric, antistrophe involves the [repetition] of [words].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antistrophe” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The antistrophe provides a thematic counterbalance to the strophe.
- His analysis focused on the metrical pattern of the antistrophe.
American English
- The antistrophe mirrors the strophe in structure but often introduces a shift in perspective.
- Understanding the antistrophe is key to analysing the Pindaric ode.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in papers and discussions on classical Greek drama, poetic form, or the history of rhetoric.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Precise term in literary analysis and classical studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antistrophe”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antistrophe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antistrophe”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'contrast' or 'opposite'.
- Confusing it with 'antithesis'.
- Mispronouncing with stress on the first syllable (/ˈæntɪstrəʊf/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, specialized term used almost exclusively in academic contexts related to classical studies, poetry, and rhetoric.
Antistrophe is a structural device involving repetition in reverse order or a specific choral movement. Antithesis is a rhetorical device contrasting ideas in balanced phrases (e.g., 'Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing').
It would be highly unusual and likely confusing to listeners unless you were specifically discussing Greek drama or advanced literary techniques.
No, 'antistrophe' is solely a noun. The related adjective is 'antistrophic' (/ˌantɪˈstrɒfɪk/).
In rhetoric, the repetition of words in reverse order.
Antistrophe is usually formal, literary, academic (especially classics, rhetoric, literary criticism) in register.
Antistrophe: in British English it is pronounced /anˈtɪstrəfi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ænˈtɪstrəfi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think ANTI-STROPHE: the ANTI- or opposite movement that answers the STROPHE.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRUCTURE IS MOVEMENT / LANGUAGE IS CHOREOGRAPHY (The formal pattern of words is conceptualized as the physical turning of a chorus.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary field where the term 'antistrophe' is used?