adjective Uncommon

contrasting

kuhn-TRAHS-ting

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Contrasting (adjective) means Strikingly different from one another when set side by side, in a way that makes the difference stand out. Example: “The two witnesses gave sharply contrasting accounts of the evening.”

adjective

Strikingly different from one another when set side by side, in a way that makes the difference stand out.

"The two witnesses gave sharply contrasting accounts of the evening."

"She paired a navy jacket with contrasting tan boots."

verb

Present participle of contrast: comparing two things in order to bring out their differences, or standing out clearly against something else.

"The essay spends two pages contrasting the two economic models."

"Bright poppies were contrasting with the pale wheat."

How to use contrasting

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishClearly different from each other.

When to use it

Neutral. Frequent in academic writing, design, fashion and reporting.

Memory tip

Note the stress shift: the noun CON-trast is stressed on the first syllable, the verb con-TRAST on the second.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

complementary → comparing contracting → clashing →

Common pairings

sharply contrasting contrasting views contrasting colours contrasting trim contrasting styles

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “contrasting” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The two witnesses gave sharply _____ accounts of the evening.

Etymology

From French contraster, in turn from Italian contrastare 'to stand against, to oppose', built on Latin contra 'against' and stare 'to stand'.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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opposing differing conflicting divergent clashing contrastive

Antonyms

similar matching alike complementary

Related words

like such same different similar anti equal alternative

Rhymes for contrasting

casting tasting lasting fasting wasting pasting boasting coasting roasting feasting blasting toasting

See all rhymes for contrasting →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between contrasting and complementary colours?

Contrasting colours sit far apart on the colour wheel and create visual tension, while complementary colours sit directly opposite and are a specific kind of high contrast that also balances. In everyday design talk, contrasting simply means visibly different, whereas complementary is a precise technical pairing.

Do you contrast something with or to something?

Both are used, but 'contrast with' is the more common and natural choice, especially for the intransitive sense: 'her calm contrasted with his panic'. 'Contrast to' appears mainly in the fixed phrase 'in contrast to'.

Is contrasting positive or negative?

It is neutral. Contrasting evidence can signal an unresolved conflict, while contrasting textures in a room are usually a compliment; the tone comes from the context, not the word.

What is the meaning of contrasting?

"contrasting" (adjective) means strikingly different from one another when set side by side, in a way that makes the difference stand out.

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