contrast

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

/ verb kənˈtræst, ˈkɒn træst; noun ˈkɒn træst /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR contrast 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.

Origin of contrast

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

SYNONYMS FOR contrast

1 differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, oppose.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR contrast ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM contrast

con·trast·a·ble, adjective con·trast·a·bly, adverb con·trast·ing·ly, adverb qua·si-con·trast·ed, adjective

un·con·trast·a·ble, adjective un·con·trast·a·bly, adverb un·con·trast·ed, adjective un·con·trast·ing, adjective well-con·trast·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH contrast

compare contrast (see usage note at compare)

Words nearby contrast

contrarious, contrariwise, contrary, contrary motion, contrasexual, contrast, contrast bath, contrast enema, contrast medium, contrast stain, contrastive

Example sentences from the Web for contrasting

A scarf and bag in contrasting shades and patterns enhanced this busy, but feminine, look.

Art Takes the Runway at Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2014 London Fashion Week |Liza Foreman |February 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
At best, contrasting the campaign to the government was akin to “comparing apples and oranges.”

Obama’s 2012 Campaign Prepped for Disaster. Obamacare Didn’t. |Lloyd Green |October 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The show centers on two detectives with contrasting world views who must clean up the streets of Battle Creek, Mich.

What’s Next For The ‘Breaking Bad' Cast: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and More |Marlow Stern |September 30, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Such an interesting social commentary— contrasting the hippie Jagger and the buttoned-up gangster.

Tom Hiddleston On His Rocker-Vampire in ‘Only Lovers Left Alive,’ ‘Thor 2,’ and ‘Avengers 2’ |Marlow Stern |September 7, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

Those sharp political differences lead to contrasting parenting styles.

If You Grow Up Indian-American, College Graduation Isn’t Enough |Anita Raghavan |May 31, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Choose a plain color for the body of the rug, and a short distance from each end weave several stripes of a contrasting color.

Hand-Loom Weaving |Mattie Phipps Todd
He was discoursing on the arts of peace, contrasting them with the arts of war.

Gossamer |George A. Birmingham
Great darkness is only obtained by the opposition of bright light, and bright light by contrasting it with density of shadow.

The Use of a Box of Colours |Harry Willson
The red gleam of the flames upon the ice, contrasting with his own situation, struck a chill into Henry.

The Eyes of the Woods |Joseph A. Altsheler
Mr. Muskett's voice was an overpowering boom, contrasting oddly with the thin, high-pitched notes of Mr. Tuddenham.

Adventures of Bindle |Herbert George Jenkins

British Dictionary definitions for contrasting

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, adjective contrastably, adverb contrasting, adjective contrastive, adjective

contrastively, adverb

Word Origin for contrast

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

contrast

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Origin of contrast

SYNONYMS FOR contrast

OTHER WORDS FROM contrast

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH contrast

Words nearby contrast

Example sentences from the Web for contrasting

British Dictionary definitions for contrasting

verb (kənˈtrɑːst)

noun (ˈkɒntrɑːst)

Derived forms of contrast

Word Origin for contrast

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

contrast

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Origin of contrast

SYNONYMS FOR contrast

OTHER WORDS FROM contrast

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH contrast

Words nearby contrast

Words related to contrasting

Example sentences from the Web for contrasting

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for contrasting

verb (kənˈtrɑːst)

noun (ˈkɒntrɑːst)

Derived forms of contrast

Word Origin for contrast

British Dictionary definitions for contrasting