contrast

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

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: contrast in a Sentence

Definition of contrast

contrasted; contrasting; contrasts

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 activists’ optimism contrasted sharply with the mood of Iranian civil society.

— amie ferris-rotman, Washington Post, "‘Let us be free’: Iranian women mount protest over stadium ban at World Cup match," 15 June 2018
Merriden Varrall and Charlie Lyons Jones of the Lowy Institute, a think-tank in Sydney, say that Australia’s interest in the New Southbound Policy contrasts sharply with its wait-and-see approach to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

— The Economist, "China fights Taiwan on airline websites," 14 June 2018
In form and meaning, the proposal contrasts sharply with the two Confederate monuments that Memphis took down last year.

— blair kamin, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago in Venice: A first look at the U.S. pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale," 23 May 2018
The Monday violence, in which no Israelis were injured, contrasted sharply with the festive ceremony at the new embassy in Jerusalem, just 40 miles away.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Israel, US criticized for Palestinian deaths in Gaza clashes as death toll rises," 16 May 2018
Glassman’s biography and long career in politics contrasts sharply with Hayes’ personal narrative as a single mother who worked to become the 2016 national Teacher of the Year.

— daniela altimari, courant.com, "Mary Glassman Wins Democratic Endorsement For 5th Congressional District But Primary Looms," 15 May 2018
The landscape and the property values contrast sharply with Hawaii's more expensive real estate.

— caleb jones, Fox News, "Living on Hawaii volcano offers affordable paradise, risks," 8 May 2018
The landscape contrasts sharply with the state’s more expensive real estate on Oahu and Maui and the bustling capital of Honolulu.

— caleb jones, BostonGlobe.com, "Chance at affordable piece of paradise drew many to slopes of volcano," 7 May 2018
This contrasts sharply with a more rosy outlook from the Environmental Protection Agency, which said the slowdown in reductions was only 16%.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "The USA's long battle against air pollution isn't over yet, as air quality improvements are slowing down," 30 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

contrast Synonyms

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

Whereas Trump opted to forgo the waist-defining belt back then, Her Majesty punctuated her brightly hued, body-skimming dress with a metallic cincher for contrast.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Melania Trump and Queen Letizia of Spain Meet Up—And Prove They're Birds of a Fashion Feather," 19 June 2018
In an exclusive clip from Tuesday's episode of NBC's 'America's Got Talent,' Udi offers a glowing contrast in color that culminates in a sparkly explosion.

— bill keveney, USA TODAY, "Exclusive: Watch glowing 'AGT' duo explode into colorful sparks in tonight's audition," 19 June 2018
Kahlo, a Mexican artist who died in 1954 at age 47, is seen by her supporters as a fitting contrast to Phelan’s racist legacy.

— dominic fracassa, SFChronicle.com, "Citing racist connection, SF changes Phelan Avenue to Frida Kahlo Way," 19 June 2018
The Democrat has stepped up campaign appearances and has seized national issues to draw contrasts with Scott, lately accusing him of hurting Floridians by not expanding Medicaid under Obamacare, which is no longer a campaign liability.

— alex leary and steve bousquet, miamiherald, "Bill Nelson faces long, hard path to reelection in his toughest campaign in years," 18 June 2018
The interior was striking, with black square-quilted seat inserts, contrast stitching and piping on the bolsters, plush door panels in brown, and wood on the dash and center stack.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Nissan Armada full-size SUV has plentyof room for the family, lots of technology," 17 June 2018
Yet Harvard alumni who interview applicants and provide their own ratings generally scored Asian-Americans higher than whites, a contrast that Arcidiacono says suggests bias.

— CBS News, "Harvard accused of ranking Asian-American applicants lowest on "personal qualities"," 15 June 2018
Israel’s military said Friday evening that just a few dozen Palestinians protested at the barrier during the day, a sharp contrast to previous weeks.

— wafaa shurafa, BostonGlobe.com, "Gaza residents pray near Israel, as Muslims mark major feast," 15 June 2018
Rather, after some staff turnover and soul-searching, television, podcast, sketch, stand-up and social media satirists became a powerful point of contrast to the both-sides-ism that has plagued mainstream political media.

— dan jakes, Chicago Reader, "The Deckchairs can't make American political comedy great again," 15 June 2018