contrast

[ verb kuhn-trast, kon-trast; noun kon-trast ]

/ verb kənˈtræst, ˈkɒn træst; noun ˈkɒn træst /

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See synonyms for: contrast / contrasted / contrasting / contrasts on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc., of: Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.

verb (used without object)

to exhibit unlikeness on comparison with something else; form a contrast.

Linguistics. to differ in a way that can serve to distinguish meanings: The sounds (p) and (b) contrast in the words “pin” and “bin.”

noun

the act of contrasting; the state of being contrasted.

a striking exhibition of unlikeness.

a person or thing that is strikingly unlike in comparison: The weather down here is a welcome contrast to what we're having back home.

opposition or juxtaposition of different forms, lines, or colors in a work of art to intensify each element's properties and produce a more dynamic expressiveness.

Photography. the relative difference between light and dark areas of a print or negative.

Television. the brightness ratio of the lightest to the darkest part of the television screen image.

Linguistics. a difference between linguistic elements, especially sounds, that can serve to distinguish meanings.

OTHER WORDS FOR contrast

1 differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, oppose.

See synonyms for contrast on Thesaurus.com

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

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Idioms about contrast

compare and contrast. See entry at compare and contrast.

Origin of contrast

First recorded in 1480–90; (verb) from Middle French contraster, from Italian contrastare “to contest,” from Latin contrā- contra-¹ + stāre stand; (noun) earlier contraste, from French, from Italian contrasto “conflict,” derivative of contrastare

OTHER WORDS FROM contrast

con·trast·a·ble, adjectivecon·trast·a·bly, adverbcon·trast·ing·ly, adverbqua·si-con·trast·ed, adjective

un·con·trast·a·ble, adjectiveun·con·trast·a·bly, adverbun·con·trast·ed, adjectiveun·con·trast·ing, adjectivewell-con·trast·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH contrast

compare, contrast

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

How to use contrast in a sentence

That contrasts with a 49 to 48 percent advantage for Democrats in the other 37 states.
Seriously, Democrats: You’re Done in Dixie|Michael Tomasky|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All of this contrasts markedly with pre-recession policies, especially what has come to be known as the “Beckham Law.”
Is Soccer Great Lionel Messi Corrupt?|Jack Holmes|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the hope that people have about technology contrasts the notion of the evil machine.
How ‘Transcendence’ Director Wally Pfister Became Christopher Nolan’s Secret Weapon|Andrew Romano|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her story contrasts the two approaches to divorce in the church that Pope Francis highlighted.
Pope Francis Declares Divorcees Deserve Compassion, Too|Kirsten Powers|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Viewers love the show because it contrasts rich and poor, upstairs and down, particularly when the two worlds collide.
What ‘Downton Abbey’ Can Teach The Queen|Tim Teeman|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The table on the following page contrasts the distinctive blood-changes in the more common conditions.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
No part of the entertainment amused me more than the ball, where I witnessed the most startling contrasts of art and nature.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
The whole episode contrasts markedly with the exploit of Bishop Sinclair in Fife.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
Portland enjoyed a popularity which contrasts strangely with the extreme unpopularity which he had incurred in England.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Here's the diary to prove how little things came to look important because the days held no contrasts.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for contrast

contrast

verb (kənˈtrɑːst)

(often foll by with) to distinguish or be distinguished by comparison of unlike or opposite qualities

noun (ˈkɒntrɑːst)

distinction or emphasis of difference by comparison of opposite or dissimilar things, qualities, etc (esp in the phrases by contrast, in contrast to or with)

a person or thing showing notable differences when compared with another

(in painting) the effect of the juxtaposition of different colours, tones, etc

(of a photographic emulsion) the degree of density measured against exposure used
the extent to which adjacent areas of an optical image, esp on a television screen or in a photographic negative or print, differ in brightness

psychol the phenomenon that when two different but related stimuli are presented close together in space and/or time they are perceived as being more different than they really are

Derived forms of contrast

contrastable, adjectivecontrastably, adverbcontrasting, adjectivecontrastive, adjective

contrastively, adverb

Word Origin for contrast

C16: (n): via French from Italian, from contrastare (vb), from Latin contra- against + stare to stand

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

contrast

OTHER WORDS FOR contrast

Idioms about contrast

Origin of contrast

OTHER WORDS FROM contrast

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH contrast

Words related to contrast

How to use contrast in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contrast

Derived forms of contrast

Word Origin for contrast