ˈkɒntɹɑːst ˈkɑnt(ʃ)ɹæst ˈkɒntɹɑːst ˈkɑnt(ʃ)ɹæst ˌdɛmɑːˈkeɪʃən the act of distinguishing by comparing differences put in opposition to show or emphasize differences The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student to show differences when compared; be different the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities 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) the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors a conceptual separation or distinction there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared in contrast to by contrast