by contrast

American

[bahy kon-trast] / ˌbaɪ ˈkɒn træst /

idiom

(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.

Etymology

Origin of by contrast

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

by contrast

Slower breathing and a calmer cardiovascular state, by contrast, may encourage a more positive assessment of potential outcomes and make people more willing to take risks.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

A 529, by contrast, stays under the parent’s control.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

The NME, by contrast, was left breathless by the star's physical prowess.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Income annuities, by contrast, are relatively straightforward: They act as a kind of life insurance in reverse.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

Golomb, by contrast, tries to be more selective.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023