Irony vs. Contrast — What's the Difference?

Irony (from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία eirōneía 'dissimulation, feigned ignorance'), in its broadest sense, is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or event in which what on the surface appears to be the case or to be expected differs radically from what is actually the case. Irony can be categorized into different types, including verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony.

To set in opposition in order to show or emphasize differences

The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.

To show differences when compared

An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning

(Linguistics) To evince a difference that can distinguish meaning

Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs

The act of contrasting; a setting off of dissimilar entities or objects.

An occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity

The state of being contrasted

Dramatic irony.

A difference, especially a strong dissimilarity, between entities or objects compared

Socratic irony.

One thing that is strikingly dissimilar to another

(rhetoric) The quality of a statement that, when taken in context, may actually mean something different from, or the opposite of, what is written literally; the use of words expressing something other than their literal intention, often in a humorous context.

The use of opposing elements, such as colors, forms, or lines, in proximity to produce an intensified effect in a work of art.

(countable) An ironic statement.

The difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture, such as a photograph or video image.

Dramatic irony: a theatrical effect in which the meaning of a situation, or some incongruity in the plot, is understood by the audience, but not by the characters in the play.

(Linguistics) A difference between units, especially one that distinguishes meaning.

Socratic irony: ignorance feigned for the purpose of confounding or provoking an antagonist.

(countable) A difference in lightness, brightness and/or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable.

(informal){{cite-journal

(uncountable) The degree of this difference.

Of or pertaining to the metal iron.

(countable) A control on a television, etc, that adjusts the amount of contrast in the images being displayed.

Made or consisting of iron; partaking of iron; iron; as, irony chains; irony particles; - In this sense iron is the more common term.

(countable) A difference between two objects, people or concepts.

Resembling iron in taste, hardness, or other physical property.

(countable) Something that is opposite of or strikingly different from something else.

Dissimulation; ignorance feigned for the purpose of confounding or provoking an antagonist.

Antithesis.

A sort of humor, ridicule, or light sarcasm, which adopts a mode of speech the meaning of which is contrary to the literal sense of the words.

(transitive) To set in opposition in order to show the difference or differences between.

Witty language used to convey insults or scorn;

(intransitive) To form a contrast.

Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs;

To stand in opposition; to exhibit difference, unlikeness, or opposition of qualities.

A trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs

To set in opposition, or over against, in order to show the differences between, or the comparative excellences and defects of; to compare by difference or contrariety of qualities; as, to contrast the present with the past.

To give greater effect to, as to a figure or other object, by putting it in some relation of opposition to another figure or object.

The act of contrasting, or the state of being contrasted; comparison by contrariety of qualities.

Opposition or dissimilitude of things or qualities; unlikeness, esp. as shown by juxtaposition or comparison.

The opposition of varied forms, colors, etc., which by such juxtaposition more vividly express each other's peculiarities.

The opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared;

The act of distinguishing by comparing differences

A conceptual separation or demarcation;

The perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors

The range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print (or the extent to which adjacent areas on a television screen differ in brightness)

Put in opposition to show or emphasize differences;

To show differences when compared; be different;