Synonyms

contradistinguish

American

[kon-truh-di-sting-gwish] / ˌkɒn trə dɪˈstɪŋ gwɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

to distinguish by contrasting opposite qualities.

contradistinguish British

/ ˌkɒntrədɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ /

verb

(tr) to differentiate by means of contrasting or opposing qualities

"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

Etymology

Origin of contradistinguish

First recorded in 1615–25; contra- ¹ ( def. ) + distinguish

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.

Finally, I will note down those fundamental characteristics which contradistinguish the ancient literature from the modern generally, but which more especially appear in prominence in the tragic drama.

From Literary Remains, Volume 2 by Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

I will note down the fundamental characteristics which contradistinguish the ancient literature from the modern generally, but which more especially appear in prominence in the tragic drama.

From Shakespeare: His Life, Art, And Characters, Volume I. With An Historical Sketch Of The Origin And Growth Of The Drama In England by Hudson, Henry Norman

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