The word to contrast is widely used in our language and we use it to account for different issues, while the most recurrent use of the word is to indicate the comparison between things, situations, people, among others, that is, we use the term as a synonym for the concept of comparing.
Comparison between things and people from which similarities or differences can be obtained
When two things are compared with each other and then they show important differences, either in their conditions and characteristics, or in some aspect, it is common to speak in terms of contrasting.
“The beauty of his latest work contrasts with the rest of his creations.”
It should be noted that it is also contrasted to find similarities between things or people.
A way of knowing things
Comparison is a recurring action that we human beings carry out, especially when we are evaluating different options when making a decision about something, always, even unconsciously, people are comparing things, for example, we say that it is an action typically human and very present in our day to day.
We can precisely say that comparison, the action of contrasting, are a way that human beings have to understand and know the realization and also to be able to choose what best suits us in a certain context.
Because when we are presented with something that we do not know, it is normal that we tend to relate it to something we know and in this way we carry out an intellectual exercise of comparison.
It consists of observing two or more elements or issues and establishing differences and similarities based on it.
Then, in everyday life, in study, in communication and in the development of various professional activities, the action of contrasting is used, normally, to better understand an aspect of reality that is being addressed.
Meanwhile, the result of contrasting is popularly known as contrast, like this, to the opposition between things, individuals, words, among others, we designate it as contrast: “there is a strong contrast between the proposals of the presidential candidates, so the election will be polarized.”
Difference in intensity between the point of an image and the surroundings
In terms of images, the word contrast enjoys a special use since through it it designates that difference in intensity that exists between precisely the point of an image and its surroundings.
In other words, if there is no contrast in the image, it will be impossible to distinguish between the background and the image, while if it is pronounced, we can distinguish both.
Check the authenticity of something
On the other hand, contrasting may involve the action of check the authenticity of something, for example, an object, a document, among other alternatives.
In some situations it is rigorous to have to determine the authenticity or validity of an item or a document, for example, a jewel or a general power of attorney that one person granted to another, then, it will be necessary to determine those conditions to resort to certain components or specialists thereof that allow us to assert it.
Thus, in the case of a jewel, it must be examined by an expert who can determine if its components are authentic and it is not a replica, because of course, if it is not authentic its value will be much lower than in the case that be it.
On the other hand, when a person acts on behalf of another in a procedure through an extended power of attorney, it will need to be initialed by an authorized professional, such as a notary public, so that it is valid and can be presented.
“After contrasting both pieces we have discovered that the watch that Mario brought us is false.”
And at the behest of alloys, the word contrast is used to denote that habitual action that consists of checking the proportion of noble materials that exist in an object.
“I need an expert to contrast the old coins that I have saved.”
In this context, the word contrast is used to refer to the brand that guarantees the noble metal after the contrast.
So, as we indicated above, the most popular synonym for this concept is that of compare while the one who opposes is that of coincide, which precisely refers to the adjustment, the concordance that exists between one thing and another.
