contrast

Pluralcontrasts

Formscontrasts, contrasting, contrasted

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A clear difference between two things, people, or ideas.

   Like the difference between night and day.

   There is a big contrast between summer and winter weather.

   The contrast between the two brothers is easy to see.

   Similardifference, disparity, distinction, divergence, gap

   Oppositesimilarity, likeness, resemblance

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A thing that is very different from another thing.

   Like a black dot on a white page: it stands out.

   Her calm mood was a contrast to his anger.

   The new building is a sharp contrast to the old houses nearby.

   Similarfoil, counterpoint, antithesis, opposite

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To compare two things to show how they differ.

   Like holding two photos side by side to spot what is different.

   The teacher asked us to contrast the two poems.

   Let's contrast city life with country life.

   Similarcompare, juxtapose, differentiate, distinguish

   Oppositeliken

   Note
4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To be clearly different from something else.

   Like a loud color that stands out against a plain wall.

   These two colors contrast strongly.

   The music contrasts with the calm scene on screen.

   Similardiffer, clash, conflict, jar

   Oppositematch, harmonize, blend

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A difference in lightness, brightness, or shade between two colors that makes them easier or harder to tell apart.

   The black letters on the yellow sign make a strong contrast, so you can read it from far away.

   Her drawing is full of bright contrasts, like red apples against green leaves.

   Similardifference

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   The setting on a screen that changes how light and dark the picture looks.

   Like a knob that makes the light and dark parts stronger or weaker.

   She turned the contrast all the way up.

   The remote has a separate button for contrast.

7. 7
   nounrhetoriccountable or uncountable

   The use of opposite ideas placed close together for effect.

   Like putting hot and cold side by side to feel the difference.

   The poem uses contrast to set love against hate.

   Good speeches often build on contrast between right and wrong.

   Similaropposition, juxtaposition, antithesis

   Note
8. 8
   noununcountable

   A special liquid put into the body so that certain parts show up clearly on a scan.

   Like adding food coloring to clear water so you can see where it flows.

   The nurse gave him contrast before the scan.

   Some patients feel warm when the contrast goes in.

   Note

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