contradistinction

[ kon-truh-di-stingk-shuhn ]

/ ˌkɒn trə dɪˈstɪŋk ʃən /

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See synonyms for: contradistinction / contradistinctive on Thesaurus.com

noun

distinction by opposition or contrast: plants and animals in contradistinction to humans.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of contradistinction

First recorded in 1640–50; contra-¹ + distinction

OTHER WORDS FROM contradistinction

con·tra·dis·tinc·tive, adjectivecon·tra·dis·tinc·tive·ly, adverb

Words nearby contradistinction

contradiction, contradiction in terms, contradictious, contradictive, contradictory, contradistinction, contradistinguish, contrafactual, contraflow, contra-guide rudder, contrail

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use contradistinction in a sentence

She felt the relationship to be a true one, in contradistinction to the more usual form of protectorate of woman to child.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird
A moon is called Gezis, or when spoken of in contradistinction to the sun, Dibik Geezis, or night-sun.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft
Not a man but was freshly shaved and attired in immaculate white linen in contradistinction to the inevitable khaki.
A Woman's Journey through the Philippines|Florence Kimball Russel
Most of his subsequent remarks are upon practice in execution and colour, in contradistinction to elaborate finish.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXVIII. February, 1843. Vol. LIII.|Various

Anza emphasizes the fact that these Indians are not white, in contradistinction to the reports brought back by Crespi.
The Aboriginal Population of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California|S. F. Cook

British Dictionary definitions for contradistinction

contradistinction

/ (ˌkɒntrədɪˈstɪŋkʃən) /

noun

a distinction made by contrasting different qualities

Derived forms of contradistinction

contradistinctive, adjectivecontradistinctively, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

contradistinction

Origin of contradistinction

OTHER WORDS FROM contradistinction

Words nearby contradistinction

Words related to contradistinction

How to use contradistinction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contradistinction

Derived forms of contradistinction