by contrast

[bahy kon-trast]

idiom

1. (used when making a comparison to something strikingly different from what was previously mentioned).

   Theater costumes must be viewed from a distance; film, by contrast, is all about close-ups.

Word History and Origins

Origin of by contrast¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

Vargas’ Fito, by contrast, has his head in the clouds and his heart on his sleeve.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By contrast, Texas wasn’t favored because of its experience—after losing so many starters from last year’s playoff semifinal team, they had a ton of roster turnover.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“By contrast, several Sunbelt and West Coast markets that were recently red-hot are now faring far worse,” Godec said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

By contrast, when you give a direct “no,” the inviter can move forward with a firm plan, knowing exactly what to expect.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

By contrast, the public-company population in the U.S. has dropped by half since the 1990s to around 4,000.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal