English Meaning & Definitions
Used to emphasize that two things are very different from each other.
- “The city's modern skyscrapers stand in sharp contrast to the ancient ruins nearby.”
- “Her calm demeanor was in sharp contrast to the panic felt by the rest of the team.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “in sharp contrast”.
The phrase combines the preposition 'in' with 'sharp' (from Old English 'scearp', meaning keen or cutting) and 'contrast' (from the Latin 'contra' meaning against and 'stare' meaning to stand). Together, it implies a visual or conceptual 'standing against' that is as distinct and clear as a sharp edge.
Imagine a black ink blot on a white page; the edges are so 'sharp' that the difference is impossible to miss.
Frequently Asked Questions About “in sharp contrast”
1. What is the meaning of “in sharp contrast” in English?
In English, in sharp contrast (idiom) is defined as: “Used to emphasize that two things are very different from each other.”.
2. How do you use “in sharp contrast” in a sentence?
“The city's modern skyscrapers stand in sharp contrast to the ancient ruins nearby.”
3. What are English synonyms of “in sharp contrast”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “in sharp contrast”?
The phrase combines the preposition 'in' with 'sharp' (from Old English 'scearp', meaning keen or cutting) and 'contrast' (from the Latin 'contra' meaning against and 'stare' meaning to stand). Together, it implies a visual or conceptual 'standing against' that is as distinct and clear as a sharp edge.
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