dichotomy

/daɪˈkɒt.ə.mi/

division into two parts

The essay presents a dichotomy between theory and practice.

It shows a split into two opposite groups.

formal

A division or contrast between two things that are presented as entirely different.

There is a clear dichotomy between good and evil in the novel.

The story sharply separates the concepts of good and evil.

The researcher noted a dichotomy in the data: one group improved, the other declined.

The data showed two opposite trends.

Often followed by 'between' to specify the two sides.

Collocations

sharp dichotomya very clear divisionclear dichotomyan obvious contrastfalse dichotomyan inaccurate or misleading division

English Dictionary