Dictionary.com

contrastive

[ kuhn-tras-tiv ]
/ kənˈtræs tɪv /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: contrastive / contrastively on Thesaurus.com
adjective
tending to contrast; contrasting. contrastive colors.
studying or exhibiting the congruences and differences between two languages or dialects without reference to their origins: contrastive linguistics.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of contrastive

First recorded in 1810–20; contrast + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM contrastive

con·tras·tive·ly, adverbun·con·tras·tive, adjectiveun·con·tras·tive·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to contrastive

provisional, contrasting, disparate, distant, distinct, distinctive, divergent, diverse, offbeat, other, particular, peculiar, various, differing, diversified, varied, approaching, contingent, correlative, equivalent

How to use contrastive in a sentence

  • These parallels become especially impressive when they are seen contrastively from a wide phonetic perspective.

    Language|Edward Sapir
FEEDBACK