On this page12 sections
- Quick picker
- Noun synonyms: difference and distinction
- Noun synonyms: gaps and imbalances
- Noun synonyms: side by side for effect
- Saying the contrast is strong
- When the two things cannot both be true
- Verb synonyms
- Contrast in art, photography and design
- Linking words: in contrast, by contrast
- Common mistakes
- Practice
- Quick answers
The closest synonyms for contrast as a noun are difference, distinction, disparity, divergence and juxtaposition. As a verb, use differ, compare, set against, juxtapose or clash. Which one fits depends on what you are stressing: that two things are unlike (difference), that the gap is unfair (disparity), or that you put them side by side on purpose (juxtaposition).
Below the synonyms are sorted by that meaning, each with a sentence that shows how it behaves. If you are looking for linking words such as in contrast, by contrast, whereas or on the other hand, those are covered in detail on another word for however; a short list is also near the end of this page.
Quick picker
| You mean | Use |
|---|---|
| the two things are not the same | difference, dissimilarity, unlikeness |
| a clear, sharp difference you can point to | distinction, differentiation |
| an unfair or worrying gap | disparity, gap, imbalance, inequality |
| things moving apart over time | divergence, gulf |
| two things placed side by side for effect | juxtaposition |
| a strong, surprising difference | stark contrast, world of difference, night and day |
| things that cannot both be true | contradiction, conflict, inconsistency |
| a character who shows up another by being unlike them | foil |
Noun synonyms: difference and distinction
- Difference. The plainest word and almost always correct. “There’s a big difference between the two phones.” Contrast suggests the difference is striking; difference does not.
- Distinction. A difference someone notices or draws on purpose. “The law makes a distinction between theft and robbery.” Often used with draw or make.
- Dissimilarity. Formal; used in science and analysis. “The dissimilarity between the two samples was small.”
- Differentiation. The act of telling things apart, or of making a product different. “Price is not enough for differentiation in this market.”
- Variation. Differences within one group rather than between two things. “There’s a lot of variation in rainfall across the region.”
Noun synonyms: gaps and imbalances
These say the difference matters, often because it is unequal or unfair.
- Disparity. A large, usually unfair difference. “Income disparity between the regions has grown.” Common in reports and the news.
- Gap. The everyday version: “the pay gap”, “the generation gap”.
- Imbalance. One side has too much. “a trade imbalance”.
- Gulf. A very wide difference, often in views or understanding. “There is a gulf between what voters want and what they are offered.”
- Divergence. Things that were similar moving apart. “The divergence between the two economies began in the 1990s.”
Noun synonyms: side by side for effect
- Juxtaposition. Placing two unlike things next to each other so the difference stands out. It is the standard term in art, film and literature essays. “The juxtaposition of the luxury hotel and the slum below it is deliberate.”
- Foil. In fiction, a character whose qualities highlight another’s by being opposite. “Watson is a foil to Holmes.”
- Counterpoint. Something that sets off or balances another thing; from music. “Her calm narration is a counterpoint to the chaos on screen.”
- Antithesis. The direct opposite, or, in rhetoric, two opposed ideas in balanced phrases: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Antithesis and juxtaposition are figures of speech in their own right; see figurative language for how they relate to metaphor and simile.
Saying the contrast is strong
- Stark contrast or sharp contrast: “In stark contrast to last year, sales are up.”
- A world of difference: “A good night’s sleep makes a world of difference.”
- Like night and day / like chalk and cheese (British): “The two brothers are like chalk and cheese.”
- Poles apart: “Their political views are poles apart.”
For more images of difference, see idioms for different.
When the two things cannot both be true
- Contradiction. “There’s a contradiction between what he said on Monday and what he wrote on Friday.”
- Inconsistency. Softer; parts that do not match. “The report has several inconsistencies.”
- Conflict / clash. “a clash of styles”, “a conflict between the two accounts”.
These are not true synonyms of contrast: two things can contrast without contradicting each other. A red coat contrasts with a grey street; it does not contradict it.
Verb synonyms
“Contrast” as a verb has two patterns: things contrast (with each other), and a person contrasts one thing with another.
| Pattern | Synonyms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| X contrasts with Y | differs from, stands out against, clashes with, is at odds with | “The modern wing clashes with the old house.” |
| you contrast X with Y | compare, set X against Y, juxtapose, weigh X against Y | “The essay sets the city against the countryside.” |
| you show how they differ | differentiate, distinguish, tell apart | “Can you distinguish the twins?” |
| two things move apart | diverge | “Their careers diverged after university.” |
Compare or contrast? Strictly, compare looks at similarities and differences, contrast only at differences, which is why essay questions say “compare and contrast”. In everyday use, “compare” often covers both.
Contrast in art, photography and design
In images, contrast means the difference between light and dark, or between colours. The useful related words are tonal range, light and shade, chiaroscuro (strong light and dark in painting) and, for colours, complementary (opposite on the colour wheel). “Difference” or “disparity” do not work here: “turn up the difference” is not English, “turn up the contrast” is.
Linking words: in contrast, by contrast
To introduce a contrasting sentence, use by contrast, in contrast, on the other hand, conversely, whereas or while. In contrast to takes a noun (“In contrast to Paris, Lyon is quiet”); by contrast usually stands alone between commas. The full guide with punctuation is on another word for however.
Common mistakes
| Avoid | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The juxtaposition between prices in the two shops | The difference between prices | Juxtaposition means placing side by side for effect, not any difference. |
| The disparity between the two paintings’ colours | The contrast between the colours | Disparity implies an unfair gap, not a visual effect. |
| His words contrasted to his actions. | His words contrasted with his actions. | The verb takes with; the noun allows “in contrast to”. |
| The two reports contradict, they use different fonts. | The two reports differ. | Contradict means they cannot both be true. |
| Comparatively to last year | Compared with (or to) last year | “Comparatively” is an adverb meaning relatively. |
Practice
Choose the best word.
- The report shows a growing ______ in pay between men and women. (disparity / juxtaposition)
- The film’s ______ of a wedding and a funeral is hard to forget. (juxtaposition / inconsistency)
- The law draws a ______ between murder and manslaughter. (distinction / gulf)
- Their paths ______ after school: she went to sea, he stayed home. (diverged / contradicted)
- Turn the ______ up and the shadows look deeper. (contrast / difference)
Answers: 1 disparity · 2 juxtaposition · 3 distinction · 4 diverged · 5 contrast
Quick answers
What is the best synonym for contrast? “Difference” in most sentences; “disparity” for an unfair gap; “juxtaposition” for things placed side by side on purpose.
What is the opposite of contrast? Similarity, likeness, resemblance or, in design, harmony.
Is contrast a figure of speech? Contrast itself is a general idea; the figures of speech built on it are antithesis, juxtaposition and oxymoron. For similes that use contrast, see similes for good.