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GRE vocabulary

dichotomy

nounHigh-frequency wordMore D words

a division into two sharply opposed or contradictory parts

Word origin: From Greek dichotomia, a cutting in two, from dicha (in two) plus temnein (to cut).

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In a sentence

Dichotomy in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing dichotomy in a sentence.

The essay questions the dichotomy between nature and nurture.

The author rejects the familiar dichotomy between nature and nurture as too simple to explain behavior.

Synonyms
divisionsplitcontrast
Antonyms
unityagreementconvergence

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Verbal · Text Completion

The novelist's late style is admired precisely for its blank: every superfluous phrase has been pared away, leaving prose of startling economy.

Select the word that best completes the sentence.

Usage & nuance

Using “dichotomy” well

A dichotomy is a division into two sharply opposed parts, pairing with split and contrast. It often implies that the two-way split may be artificial or overdrawn.

Common questions

Questions about “dichotomy”

Dichotomy (noun) means a division into two sharply opposed or contradictory parts
Here is dichotomy used in an example sentence: "The essay questions the dichotomy between nature and nurture." Another example: "The author rejects the familiar dichotomy between nature and nurture as too simple to explain behavior."
Common synonyms for dichotomy include division, split, contrast.
Antonyms of dichotomy include unity, agreement, convergence.
Clusters with division, split, and contrast in Sentence Equivalence. Antonyms unity, agreement, and convergence describe coming together rather than splitting apart.
Yes. Dichotomy is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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