contrast
Other forms: contrasted; contrasts; contrasting
The verb contrast means to show a difference, like photos that reveal how much weight someone lost by contrasting the "before" and "after" shots.
You probably know contrast in its relation to compare. To contrast something is to look for differences among two or more elements, but compare is to do the opposite, to look for similarities. It's easy to tell the difference if you remember that contrast comes from the Latin root contra, and means "against." Contrast is also a noun meaning basically the same thing — you might notice the contrast of a dark tree against a snow-covered hill.
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the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared“"in contrast to", "by contrast”
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synonyms:
direct contrast
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type of:
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oppositeness, opposition
the relation between opposed entities
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oppositeness, opposition
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the act of distinguishing by comparing differences
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type of:
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comparing, comparison
the act of examining resemblances
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comparing, comparison
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a conceptual separation or distinction
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synonyms:
demarcation, dividing line, line
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types:
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Rubicon, point of no return
a line that when crossed permits of no return and typically results in irrevocable commitment
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type of:
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differentiation, distinction
a discrimination between things as different and distinct
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Rubicon, point of no return
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the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors
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type of:
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beholding, seeing, visual perception
perception by means of the eyes
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beholding, seeing, visual perception
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the range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print (or the extent to which adjacent areas on a television screen differ in brightness)
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put in opposition to show or emphasize differences“The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student”
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type of:
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differentiate, distinguish, secern, secernate, separate, severalise, severalize, tell, tell apart
mark as different
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differentiate, distinguish, secern, secernate, separate, severalise, severalize, tell, tell apart
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show differences when compared; be different“the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities”
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synonyms:
counterpoint
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types:
- show 5 types...
- hide 5 types...
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counterbalance, oppose
contrast with equal weight or force
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conflict
be in conflict
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foil
enhance by contrast
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counterpoise, counterpose, counterweight
constitute a counterweight or counterbalance to
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clash, collide, jar
be incompatible; be or come into conflict
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type of:
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differ
be different
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A paragraph of text
Copy citationVocabulary lists containing contrast
Eleven-year-old Louisa doesn't love change but explores new ways of looking at life when she visits her grandparents' farm on Deer Island and meets a boy named George.
Expository writing is writing that presents the reader with important research and information about a topic. This list of vocabulary can help expose you to the key terms that provide the basis for good expository writing. Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2
Have you got the write stuff? Find out by learning this comprehensive list of words related to writing. Here are links to our lists for the collection: Grammar, Reference, Drafting, Text Structure, Purpose, Argumentative Writing, Theme, Genre, Poetry, Plot Development, Literary Devices
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