contrast

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

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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.

Origin of contrast

1480–90; (verb) < Middle French contraster < Italian contrastare to contest < Latincontrā- contra-¹ + stāre to stand; (noun) earlier contraste < French < Italian contrasto conflict, derivative of contrastare

Related formscon·trast·a·ble, adjectivecon·trast·a·bly, adverbcon·trast·ing·ly, adverbqua·si-con·trast·ed, adjectiveun·con·trast·a·ble, adjectiveun·con·trast·a·bly, adverbun·con·trast·ed, adjectiveun·con·trast·ing, adjectivewell-con·trast·ed, adjective

Can be confusedcompare contrast (see usage note at compare)

Synonyms for contrast

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1. differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, oppose.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for contrasts

comparison, diversity, disagreement, divergence, variation, disparity, contradiction, opposition, distinction, contradict, vary, diverge, inverse, reverse, contradistinction, antithesis, converse, incompatibility, foil, inequality

Examples from the Web for contrasts

Contemporary Examples of contrasts

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
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
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
He talked about monochrome color-blocks and an absolute positioning of the Fendi image: contrasts with visual harmony.
Fendi Spring/ Summer 2014: Karl's Dreamland
Liza Foreman
September 19, 2013
This contrasts with many urban regions, where close-in areas just beyond downtowns have been actually losing population.
Houston Rising—Why the Next Great American Cities Aren’t What You Think
Joel Kotkin
April 8, 2013

Historical Examples of contrasts

The contrasts were so cruel that they scorched the eyes of the soul.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
It contrasts "foe and friend," just as the sonnet contrasts "love and hate."
The Man Shakespeare
Frank Harris
These contrasts might, indeed, be tragic enough, but they are actually comic.
The American Mind
Bliss Perry
His love of reputation is characteristically Greek, and contrasts with the humility of Socrates.
Charmides
Plato
Recognition of contrasts (the presentation of the extremes of a series of objects).
Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook
Maria Montessori

British Dictionary definitions for contrasts

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 Formscontrastable, adjectivecontrastably, adverbcontrasting, adjectivecontrastive, adjectivecontrastively, 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

Word Origin and History for contrasts

contrast

1690s, from French contraster (Old French contrester), modified by or from Italian contrastare "stand out against, strive, contend," from Vulgar Latin *contrastare "to withstand," from Latin contra "against" (see contra) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet).

Middle English had contrest "to fight against, to withstand," which became extinct. Modern word re-introduced as an art term. Related: Contrasted; contrasting; contrastive.

contrast

1711, from contrast (v.).