as in different
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Dissimilar Words
as in differing
to be unlike; to not be the same
her depressed mood today contrasts sharply with her good spirits yesterday
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Recent Examples of contrasting
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
For instance, a classic contrasting pairing is oysters and stout.
—Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025
Esplar Logo Leather Sneakers These Esplar sneakers stay true to Veja’s classic style while featuring a contrasting brown rubber outsole that makes the white leather pop.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2025
Tyla’s bold look wholly centered her jacket, featuring shells with a shine of muted golds and silver throughout to accentuate the style and add contrasting tones to the overall look.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Solid colorways can be mixed and matched, while contrasting edge-trim ensures these never fall flat on your tablescape.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
The 2025 versions have much more contrasting offensive styles.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
The national soccer teams of Argentina and Venezuela enter their friendly match at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night in starkly contrasting situations.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
After all, the moody duet features the gorgeously contrasting tones of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon with Swift's more delicate vocals as the two portray exes who are parsing what went wrong in their relationship.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
Erdoğan’s speeches are full of practical advice about how to destroy the left, such as calling progressives lazy, impractical alcoholics funded by globalist lobbies and contrasting the efficiency of an imperial president with the messiness of parliamentary policymaking.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Despite their contrasting backgrounds, together Joly and Brunet proved unstoppable, transforming pairs skating.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 3 Feb. 2026
The interior designer gravitates toward the farm sinks from Watermark, which feature large backsplashes and contrasting base colors.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
Distinguished by different hairdos and contrasting body language, Douglas, who can will himself to appear sedate, and James, who’s in a continual manic spiral, have more in common than either would care to admit.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Style your front door color with contrasting hardware for a bold look.
—Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
Irish duo Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal also landed lead actress and supporting actor nods, respectively, for their performances as Agnes and William Shakespeare, two characters torn apart by contrasting experiences of grief after the loss of their son.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
The contrasting edge-of-your-seat anxiety and Honnold’s chill, walk-in-the-park mood made for a weird vibe.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Guardiola may have defensive injury issues, too, but the respective physical toll exerted could not be more contrasting.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
For instance, a classic contrasting pairing is oysters and stout.
—Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025
Esplar Logo Leather Sneakers These Esplar sneakers stay true to Veja’s classic style while featuring a contrasting brown rubber outsole that makes the white leather pop.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2025
Tyla’s bold look wholly centered her jacket, featuring shells with a shine of muted golds and silver throughout to accentuate the style and add contrasting tones to the overall look.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Solid colorways can be mixed and matched, while contrasting edge-trim ensures these never fall flat on your tablescape.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
The 2025 versions have much more contrasting offensive styles.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
The national soccer teams of Argentina and Venezuela enter their friendly match at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night in starkly contrasting situations.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
After all, the moody duet features the gorgeously contrasting tones of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon with Swift's more delicate vocals as the two portray exes who are parsing what went wrong in their relationship.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
Each pair features matching mixed-material builds but are offered in contrasting tonal looks.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
Erdoğan’s speeches are full of practical advice about how to destroy the left, such as calling progressives lazy, impractical alcoholics funded by globalist lobbies and contrasting the efficiency of an imperial president with the messiness of parliamentary policymaking.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Despite their contrasting backgrounds, together Joly and Brunet proved unstoppable, transforming pairs skating.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 3 Feb. 2026
The interior designer gravitates toward the farm sinks from Watermark, which feature large backsplashes and contrasting base colors.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
Distinguished by different hairdos and contrasting body language, Douglas, who can will himself to appear sedate, and James, who’s in a continual manic spiral, have more in common than either would care to admit.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Style your front door color with contrasting hardware for a bold look.
—Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
Irish duo Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal also landed lead actress and supporting actor nods, respectively, for their performances as Agnes and William Shakespeare, two characters torn apart by contrasting experiences of grief after the loss of their son.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
The contrasting edge-of-your-seat anxiety and Honnold’s chill, walk-in-the-park mood made for a weird vibe.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrasting
Adjective
-
Riding the Gus Bus Thursday could have been a lot different had Gustavsson not been on his game.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
After the initial burst of celebrity impressions, TikTokers began to approach the trend from different angles.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lil Ant changes from day to day in the manner of adolescents everywhere, absorbing differing ideas about what manhood should look like and trying each one on for size.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This time hosted against the dramatic architecture of Verona’s Roman Arena, this ceremony will celebrate the achievements of athletes from around the world, setting an unusual precedent of differing from the location of the opening ceremony.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What brought about these disparate reactions?—
Kevin Igoe,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Last year Trump issued an executive order intending to eliminate the use of disparate impact.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The neckline and bodice also featured contrasted fabric to the more muted emerald tone of the midi dress.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Its light blue gingham plaid is made of cotton fabric, and the stocking is adorned with a mint green bow for a contrasted look.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The highs of the season were incomparable, with enough late-game magic for three or four years.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrasting. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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