as in different
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as in differing
to be unlike; to not be the same
her depressed mood today contrasts sharply with her good spirits yesterday
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Recent Examples of contrasting
Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 May 2026
The drop waist of the garment added a touch of modernity with a voluminous bubble style skirt in a contrasting shade of light blue.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
In recent decades, its few references to God have been especially polarizing, as Americans defend starkly contrasting views of the United States.
—Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
It’s structured as a rondo, in which an initial or main melody is repeated in between one or more contrasting segments.
—Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
This week’s Watches & Wonders showcase in Geneva certainly proved that there are just as many contrasting ideologies and competing priorities in 2026.
—Charlie Boyd, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
The thick contrasting white rubber sole keeps the look framed and grounded.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Chrome powders also come in several different colors, allowing your finish to be icy, warm, monochromatic, or highly contrasting depending on your preferences.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Four candidates seeking to represent San Diego’s South Bay on the City Council would bring to City Hall contrasting types of experience, different priorities and varied solutions to the city’s budget crisis.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
These stretchy, wide-leg jeans are casual and effortless with a contrasting drawstring at the waistband for a customizable fit.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Their elegance lies in embracing minimalism, streamlined sophistication, and a slender sole, contrasting casual footwear’s more robust and multi-paneled design.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 18 May 2026
At his presentation, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan leaned into the democratic nature of his platform, contrasting it with the legacy giants.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Samsung's overall smartphone sales also rose 5% year-on-year during the same period, contrasting with major Chinese brands which continue to struggle.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Newsom defended the state’s reliance on AI companies’ revenues by contrasting it with his signing last year of a major bill regulating the technology.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
For those looking to recreate Hudson’s look, this striped blouse rings similar — while the star’s contrasting colors include pink and blue, this blue-and-white version is an equally delicate design with the lighter hue at the forefront.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
In a final effort to sway voters, the parties have offered sharply contrasting views of the state of the country just off the east coast of Florida.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Adjective
Yet the reaction to these inevitabilities could not be more contrasting.
—Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 May 2026
The drop waist of the garment added a touch of modernity with a voluminous bubble style skirt in a contrasting shade of light blue.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
In recent decades, its few references to God have been especially polarizing, as Americans defend starkly contrasting views of the United States.
—Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
It’s structured as a rondo, in which an initial or main melody is repeated in between one or more contrasting segments.
—Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
This week’s Watches & Wonders showcase in Geneva certainly proved that there are just as many contrasting ideologies and competing priorities in 2026.
—Charlie Boyd, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
The thick contrasting white rubber sole keeps the look framed and grounded.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Chrome powders also come in several different colors, allowing your finish to be icy, warm, monochromatic, or highly contrasting depending on your preferences.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026
Four candidates seeking to represent San Diego’s South Bay on the City Council would bring to City Hall contrasting types of experience, different priorities and varied solutions to the city’s budget crisis.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Also fascinating were their contrasting likenesses, dark against light housed in the same being, a human eclipse.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
These stretchy, wide-leg jeans are casual and effortless with a contrasting drawstring at the waistband for a customizable fit.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Their elegance lies in embracing minimalism, streamlined sophistication, and a slender sole, contrasting casual footwear’s more robust and multi-paneled design.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 18 May 2026
At his presentation, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan leaned into the democratic nature of his platform, contrasting it with the legacy giants.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Samsung's overall smartphone sales also rose 5% year-on-year during the same period, contrasting with major Chinese brands which continue to struggle.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Newsom defended the state’s reliance on AI companies’ revenues by contrasting it with his signing last year of a major bill regulating the technology.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
For those looking to recreate Hudson’s look, this striped blouse rings similar — while the star’s contrasting colors include pink and blue, this blue-and-white version is an equally delicate design with the lighter hue at the forefront.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
In a final effort to sway voters, the parties have offered sharply contrasting views of the state of the country just off the east coast of Florida.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrasting
Adjective
-
Chapultepec Castle, once a sovereign residence, is worth a visit, as is Audiorama, an area filled with benches and speakers that pump out different types of music.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Health officials are now investigating whether the outbreak involves the Ebola Zaire strain — the deadliest and most well-known version of the virus — or a different variant, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Both scales failed this test, meaning they can’t be used to compare people with differing intelligence—and conclusions like this study’s can’t be trusted.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
-
The parties presented their differing sides.—
Eric Adler
May 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
And yet, the film’s naturalism also helps bind its disparate parts.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
Now, Hill avoids upsetting her audience by framing the disparate response to Clark as a gender issue.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The neckline and bodice also featured contrasted fabric to the more muted emerald tone of the midi dress.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Its light blue gingham plaid is made of cotton fabric, and the stocking is adorned with a mint green bow for a contrasted look.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Since his high school years, Jordan has gone on to become regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time due to his flawless 6-0 record in the NBA Finals, his incomparable scoring dominance and his unmatched competitive drive.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
Our everyman is Ben Reilly — played by the incomparable Nicolas Cage, making his live-action television debut — a private investigator who moonlights as the city’s only superhero, the Spider.—
Tracy Brown,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrasting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrasting. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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