direct contrast
2
3.7
- noun
:
contraste directo
- The sad state of PhDs in America is a direct contrast to the exalted state of PhDs in Austria.
- stand in direct contrast
- findings were in direct contrast
And it was so stark because it was a direct contrast to the way that I was thinking in my young entrepreneurial experience.
- And it was so stark because it was a direct contrast to the way that I was thinking in my young entrepreneurial experience.
Examples
-
But in direct contrast to his evil face are his clothes: a priest's suit and collar.
Fiction book (1999) -
The statements by the Obama administration are now in direct contrast to those of Libyan officials.
Blog text (22) -
"Roy's computer area was a direct contrast to the rest of the shop.
Fiction book (1999) -
The muted half-light inside is in direct contrast to the sunlight of the day outside.
Fiction book (1991) -
You're assuming that people don't want to work during a recession, which is in direct contrast to the reality in America.
Blog text (10) -
The poet's gloomy prognostication is in direct contrast to the hopeful sentiments just expressed by both parties.
Academic text (2018) -
What Pedro conveys about those who blindly pursue Marcela stands in direct contrast to the image we have traditionally come to associate with men as strong and aggressive individuals.
Academic text (2003) -
The U.S. blue uniform was in direct contrast to the red uniforms of the British Army.
-
Atlanta's loss stands in direct contrast to Barcelona's gain.
-
The muted half-light inside is in direct contrast to the sunlight of the day outside.
Synonyms
179
2.8
A clear difference between two or more things when compared
35
9.5
A clear difference between two opposite ideas, for example good and bad
12
6.2
Something that contrasts with or balances another thing
1
9.8
A difference shown by comparing one thing with another
1
8.1
A difference between two things, often between versions of a file
Antonyms
How Contrasting
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a clear and obvious opposition' is directly derivable from combining 'direct' (clear, immediate) with 'contrast' (difference); the adjective simply specifies the degree of the noun. This adjective+noun composition follows standard, transparent English semantics and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the phrase's meaning.
Etymology
The phrase direct contrast comes from a simple picture: when two very different colors are put side by side, the direct placement and strong contrast make the difference easy to see. That's why direct contrast means 'a clear and obvious difference' between two things.