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con·trast

contrast

 
 
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
phrases:
in contrast
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: transitive verb
pronunciation: kn traest
inflections: contrasts, contrasting, contrasted
definition: to compare (two people or things) in order to make their differences clear.
The essay contrasted Japan's legal system with that of the United States.
synonyms:
differentiate, discriminate, distinguish
antonyms:
liken
similar words:
oppose
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
pronunciation: kn traest
definition: to show a difference or differences on comparison.
The standard of living of the rich contrasts sharply with that of the poor.
synonyms:
differ, vary
antonyms:
accord, correlate
similar words:
diverge
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part of speech: noun
pronunciation: kan traest
definition 1: the act or result of contrasting.
The professor's contrast of Eastern and Western cultures was interesting.
synonyms:
comparison, contradistinction, difference, differentiation
antonyms:
similarity
similar words:
dissimilarity, divergence, opposition, polarity, unlikeness, variance
definition 2: the state of being contrasted or of being different.
His character stands in contrast to the other characters in the play.
synonyms:
contradistinction, difference, disparity
similar words:
contrariety, dissimilitude, opposition, polarity, unlikeness, variance
definition 3: a difference, esp. a strong one, that is revealed when things are compared or put side by side.
The contrast between her personality and her sister's is striking, as she is so outgoing and her sister is so shy.
 
definition 4: a person or thing that shows a strong lack of similarity to something else.
He's quite a contrast to his brother.
synonyms:
opposite
similar words:
disparity
definition 5: the degree of difference between light and dark colors, esp. between black and white, as in photography.
It's not a good picture of the children because the white background doesn't supply enough contrast with their light hair.
similar words:
lighting, shading
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phrase: in contrast
derivations: contrastable (adj.), contrastably (adv.), contrastingly (adv.)
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  film, photography