as in different
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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
Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
The drop waist of the garment added a touch of modernity with a voluminous bubble style skirt in a contrasting shade of light blue.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
In recent decades, its few references to God have been especially polarizing, as Americans defend starkly contrasting views of the United States.
—Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
It’s structured as a rondo, in which an initial or main melody is repeated in between one or more contrasting segments.
—Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
This week’s Watches & Wonders showcase in Geneva certainly proved that there are just as many contrasting ideologies and competing priorities in 2026.
—Charlie Boyd, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
The thick contrasting white rubber sole keeps the look framed and grounded.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Chrome powders also come in several different colors, allowing your finish to be icy, warm, monochromatic, or highly contrasting depending on your preferences.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Four candidates seeking to represent San Diego’s South Bay on the City Council would bring to City Hall contrasting types of experience, different priorities and varied solutions to the city’s budget crisis.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 2 June 2026
Early in the session, the siblings began by reflecting on their childhoods growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Chicago, and the experiences that led them on contrasting career paths.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
Dating back to the 1950s, the instrument is the complete opposite of Dylan’s, with a warm, polished wood body and contrasting black trim.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
This gives us the opportunity to discuss the Jets’ future through so many oft-contrasting lenses.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 1 June 2026
But the truth is, simply adding contrasting accessories, whether in color or style, is enough to achieve that different and cool touch.
—Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 31 May 2026
Brighten With Bold Shades Choose a throw blanket in a contrasting color such as mustard yellow to brighten a gray sofa.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 31 May 2026
The intricate, contrasting embroidery detail on this babydoll dress is stunning, creating a cool textural element to this look.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2026
Look for quilts and throw pillows in contrasting patterns and hues.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 25 May 2026
Adjective
Zidane and Ronaldo, whose fortunes had been entwined in such contrasting ways back in the 1998 World Cup final, met again.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
The drop waist of the garment added a touch of modernity with a voluminous bubble style skirt in a contrasting shade of light blue.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
In recent decades, its few references to God have been especially polarizing, as Americans defend starkly contrasting views of the United States.
—Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
It’s structured as a rondo, in which an initial or main melody is repeated in between one or more contrasting segments.
—Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
This week’s Watches & Wonders showcase in Geneva certainly proved that there are just as many contrasting ideologies and competing priorities in 2026.
—Charlie Boyd, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
The thick contrasting white rubber sole keeps the look framed and grounded.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Chrome powders also come in several different colors, allowing your finish to be icy, warm, monochromatic, or highly contrasting depending on your preferences.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Four candidates seeking to represent San Diego’s South Bay on the City Council would bring to City Hall contrasting types of experience, different priorities and varied solutions to the city’s budget crisis.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
There are almost 30 to choose from, including 10 versions of a graphic floral print reimagined in bright, contrasting hues.
—Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 2 June 2026
Early in the session, the siblings began by reflecting on their childhoods growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Chicago, and the experiences that led them on contrasting career paths.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
Dating back to the 1950s, the instrument is the complete opposite of Dylan’s, with a warm, polished wood body and contrasting black trim.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
This gives us the opportunity to discuss the Jets’ future through so many oft-contrasting lenses.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 1 June 2026
But the truth is, simply adding contrasting accessories, whether in color or style, is enough to achieve that different and cool touch.
—Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 31 May 2026
Brighten With Bold Shades Choose a throw blanket in a contrasting color such as mustard yellow to brighten a gray sofa.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 31 May 2026
The intricate, contrasting embroidery detail on this babydoll dress is stunning, creating a cool textural element to this look.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2026
Look for quilts and throw pillows in contrasting patterns and hues.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrasting
Adjective
-
Officials at the Air Resources Board then spent the last several months drafting and revising the plan voted on this week, which received considerable feedback from oil and gas companies, environmental groups, lobbyists and lawmakers all jockeying for different priorities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
There are differing opinions about Eisenhower and Kay’s relationship.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Katsenes and Milani expressed differing opinions about exploring the potential for a data center in the area, with Katsenes opposed to the idea due to nearby senior living and other housing.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Most old towns are singular districts, but Tokyo’s historic streetscape survives in disparate pockets, defined by narrow back alleys, traditional wooden houses, and small workshops that lack gardens or other buffer zones between building and street.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2026
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For The Washington Post Flex spaces, those multiuse areas that bend and grow to accommodate the disparate and changing needs of a household, took off during the pandemic.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 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
-
Since his high school years, Jordan has gone on to become regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time due to his flawless 6-0 record in the NBA Finals, his incomparable scoring dominance and his unmatched competitive drive.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
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Our everyman is Ben Reilly — played by the incomparable Nicolas Cage, making his live-action television debut — a private investigator who moonlights as the city’s only superhero, the Spider.—
Tracy Brown,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrasting. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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