contrast

verb con·trast \ kən-ˈtrast , ˈkän-ˌtrast \

Definition of contrast

transitive verb

:to set off in contrast :compare or appraise in respect to differences

Contrast European and American manners.

Contrast the two major characters of the novel.

—often used with to or with

contrasting the painter with her contemporaries

intransitive verb

:to form a contrast

—

contrastable

play \kən-ˈtra-stə-bəl, ˈkän-ˌtra-\ adjective

—

contrastingly

play \kən-ˈtra-stiŋ-lē, ˈkän-ˌtra-\ adverb

See contrast defined for English-language learners

See contrast defined for kids

Examples of contrast in a Sentence

Her black dress and the white background contrast sharply.
We compared and contrasted the two characters of the story.

Recent Examples of contrast from the Web

The Trump administration's embrace of the U.N. refugee program contrasts starkly with its typically tough stance towards the Palestinian Authority.

— chicagotribune.com, "US vows to fund a UN agency for Palestinian refugees Israeli leader wants shuttered," 24 Aug. 2017
Rothko’s canvases are studies in color relationships, assemblages of two or three rectangular blocks set against a contrasting field.

— jacqui shine, New York Times, "The Rothko Chapel," 23 Aug. 2017
That single case, recorded on 26 July in Hidalgo County in Texas, which borders Mexico, contrasts with hundreds of cases of local transmission last year.

— jon cohen, Science | AAAS, "Zika has all but disappeared in the Americas. Why?," 16 Aug. 2017
In Homearama homes, that feel is contrasted with crystal lighting fixtures, Old World designs, and stones such marble and granite to add sophistication.

— madeleine winer, The Courier-Journal, "Homearama 2017: What are the hottest housing trends right now?," 28 July 2017
This special report will seek to unravel the causes of this irrational enmity, and to explore the contrasting internal dynamics in both countries that sustain it.

— The Economist, "Hissing cousinsWhy India and Pakistan hate each other," 22 July 2017
That contrasts with a Bloomberg survey before an Energy Information Administration report Wednesday that forecasts a 3.5 million-barrel decline, which would be the 13th drop in 15 weeks.

— heesu lee, Bloomberg.com, "Oil Steadies Amid Mixed Signals on U.S. Crude Inventories," 19 July 2017
That result contrasts with a Post poll taken soon after the presidential election and the post-inauguration Women’s March that found Democrats more interested in increasing their involvement in politics.

— mike debonis, Washington Post, "Ahead of midterms, voters prefer Democrats even as Republicans appear more motivated to vote," 19 July 2017
The nation’s trajectory sharply contrasts with that of Somaliland, a major region of 4 million people that declared its independence from Somalia in 1991.

— michael f. harsch, Washington Post, "As the U.S. gets more involved in Somalia, beware these three fallacies," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contrast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of contrast

French contraster, from Middle French, to oppose, resist, alteration of contrester, from Vulgar Latin *contrastare, from Latin contra- + stare to stand — more at stand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1646

See Words from the same year

contrast Synonyms

Synonyms

differ, vary

Antonyms

compare, match

Related Words

deviate, diverge, divide, fluctuate, separate

Near Antonyms

accord, agree, conform, correspond

Synonym Discussion of contrast

compare, contrast, collate mean to set side by side in order to show differences and likenesses. compare implies an aim of showing relative values or excellences by bringing out characteristic qualities whether similar or divergent.

- compared the convention facilities of the two cities

contrast implies an emphasis on differences.

- contrasted the computerized system with the old filing cards

collate implies minute and critical inspection in order to note points of agreement or divergence.

- data from districts around the country will be collated

contrast

noun con·trast \ ˈkän-ˌtrast \

Definition of contrast

1 a :juxtaposition of dissimilar elements (such as color, tone, or emotion) in a work of art

b :degree of difference between the lightest and darkest parts of a picture

2 a :the difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures

the contrast between the two forms of government

b :comparison of similar objects to set off their dissimilar qualities

By contrast with newer models, the computer operates slowly.

:the state of being so compared

In contrast to the other estimates, his was very high.

3 :a person or thing that exhibits differences when compared with another

The gentle girl is a contrast to the arrogant woman.

See contrast defined for English-language learners

Examples of contrast in a Sentence

I observed an interesting contrast in the teaching styles of the two women.
Careful contrast of the twins shows some differences.
In contrast to last year's profits, the company is not doing very well.
The queen's wit and humor made the prince seem dull by contrast.
They spent millions of dollars on advertising. By way of contrast, our small company spent under 5,000 dollars.

Recent Examples of contrast from the Web

By contrast, Alexa is mostly used on Echo speakers that sit around a home, and Cortana is largely used on PCs.

— nick wingfield, New York Times, "‘Cortana, Open Alexa,’ Amazon Says. And Microsoft Agrees.," 30 Aug. 2017
In contrast, the Seattle Seahawks topped the chart at 5.1 points per home game.

— george richards, miamiherald, "Dolphins have worst home-field advantage in the NFL says ESPN," 29 Aug. 2017
Yet if there are genuine opportunities that emerge, making progress on a few key issues could work in the favor of Democrats by providing a stark contrast to the destructive path of the commander in chief.

— julian e. zelizer, The Atlantic, "What Would It Take for Democrats and Republicans to Work Together?," 27 Aug. 2017
By contrast, the ECB is still buying bonds to keep keeping rates at ultra-low levels but may be preparing to slowly taper its purchases next year.

— martin crutsinger, The Seattle Times, "A puzzle for central bankers: Solid growth but low inflation," 24 Aug. 2017
Daboll, in contrast, operates in relative anonymity.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "Why Alabama's new OC Brian Daboll is nothing like Lane Kiffin," 22 Aug. 2017
St. Joseph, by contrast, typically gets overcast just 5 percent of the time.

— scott canon and robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "Cloudy weather forecast worries eclipse watchers in St. Joseph, and across Missouri," 20 Aug. 2017
By contrast, if the subsidies are paid, fewer than one-half of 1 percent of people would be in such areas, the report said.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Amidst All of This Ugliness, Don't Forget About Healthcare," 16 Aug. 2017
In contrast, his initial response to right-wing violence in Charlottesville was notably equivocal.

— isobel thompson, vanityfair.com, "Trump Under Fire for Hesitating to Condemn White Supremacists," 14 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of contrast

see ¹contrast

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1711

See Words from the same year

contrast Synonyms

CONTRAST Defined for English Language Learners

contrast

verb

Definition of contrast for English Language Learners

: to be different especially in a way that is very obvious
: to compare (two people or things) to show how they are different

contrast

noun

Definition of contrast for English Language Learners

: something that is different from another thing
: a difference between people or things that are being compared
: the act of comparing people or things to show the differences between them

CONTRAST Defined for Kids

contrast

verb con·trast \ kən-ˈtrast \

Definition of contrast for Students

contrasted; contrasting

1 :to show noticeable differences

Red contrasts with black.

2 :to compare two persons or things so as to show the differences between them

Contrast the styles of these two authors.

contrast

noun con·trast \ ˈkän-ˌtrast \

Definition of contrast for Students

1 :something that is different from another

Today's weather is quite a contrast to yesterday's.

2 :difference or the amount of difference (as in color or brightness) between parts

a photo with good contrast

3 :difference or amount of difference between related or similar things

the contrast between summer and winter

Learn More about contrast

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contrast

Definition of contrast

contrastable

contrastingly

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contrast

Definition of contrast

Examples of contrast in a Sentence

Recent Examples of contrast from the Web

Origin and Etymology of contrast

contrast Synonyms

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CONTRAST Defined for English Language Learners

contrast

Definition of contrast for English Language Learners

contrast

Definition of contrast for English Language Learners

CONTRAST Defined for Kids

contrast

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contrast

Definition of contrast for Students

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