1. Strikingly different; tending to contrast
   "contrasting colours";
   - contrastive

1. Put in opposition to show or emphasize differences
   "The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student"
    
2. Set in opposition or juxtaposition to create balance or complementary effect
   "Soft lighting contrasted with sharp shadows";
   - counterpoint

See also: different

Type of: differ, differentiate, distinguish, secern [rare], separate, severalise [Brit, rare], severalize [rare], tell apart

Encyclopedia: Contrasting