by contrast

American

[bahy kon-trast] / ˌbaɪ ˈkɒn træst /

idiom

(used when making a comparison to something strikingly different from what was previously mentioned).

Theater costumes must be viewed from a distance; film, by contrast, is all about close-ups.

Etymology

Origin of by contrast

First recorded in 1780–90

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.

See Examples For:

by contrast

Raman, by contrast, saw a 49% reduction in unsheltered homelessness in her district, which stretches from Silver Lake to Reseda.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2026

Talarico, by contrast, has proven to be an effective candidate.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

Sales of the group’s Tuborg, 1664 and other beer labels by contrast dropped 3.5% organically.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Honey bees, by contrast, generally become more active as temperatures rise.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

Kepler, by contrast, was looking for a perfect match.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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