Meaning & use
dichotomy
A division or contrast between two things that are presented as being completely opposite.
See it in a sentence
The novel explores the dichotomy between rural simplicity and the chaos of city life.
There is a false dichotomy in assuming a person must be either fully rational or fully emotional.
A note on using this word
Dichotomy implies two categories that are treated as mutually exclusive, sometimes unfairly, as in the phrase 'false dichotomy'.
Words with a similar meaning
contrastpolarity
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
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