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Glite Dictionary
to contradistinguish

to contradistinguish

9.9
To show how one thing is different by comparing it with another
  • verb
  • /ˌkɒntrəˈdɪstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
  • Formal
translation icon : contradistinguir
  • The teacher encouraged the students to contradistinguish the two theories by outlining their opposing principles.

Examples

  • To understand his argument better, it's important to contradistinguish his views from those of his contemporaries.

  • So as we incessantly try to contradistinguish postmodernism from modernism, the only differential that will stay in place is that of time.

    Academic text (1993)

  • In her essay, she aimed to contradistinguish the cultural influences of the two philosophers to highlight their differences.

Synonyms

to distinguish
vsto contradistinguish
177 3.1

To notice differences between things or people

does this by comparing qualities with another rather than general recognition
to contrast
vsto contradistinguish
86 2.7

To compare two or more things to show how they are different

aims to single out one item by comparing its qualities with another
to discriminate
vsto contradistinguish
31 4.2

To notice small differences between things

does this specifically by comparing qualities with another to tell it apart
to counterpose
vsto contradistinguish
1 7.9

To put one thing next to another to show contrast

uses comparison of qualities to single out one item from another

How Distinct

to contradistinguish
  • Formal
9.9
to contrast
86 2.7
to distinguish
177 3.1
to observe
619 2.4
to notice
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

contradistinguish infinitive
contradistinguishing present participle
contradistinguishes third person singular
contradistinguished past
contradistinguished past participle

Morphology

contradistinguish = distinguish (transparent) = contra + distinguish

The verb is formed by adding the clear prefix 'contra-' (meaning 'by contrast' or 'against') to 'distinguish', yielding 'distinguish by contrast', which is directly inferable.

Etymology

Contradistinguish comes from contra- 'against' and distinguish 'to tell apart'. So, to contradistinguish is to show how one thing is different by placing it against another, much like when you 'contrast' two ideas.