Compare the terms ‘contrast’ and ‘distinguish’.

Short Answer:

contrast is to set in opposition in order to show the difference or differences between.

distinguish is to see someone or something as different from others

Long Answer:

CONTRAST
To contrast means to point out differences between two things. For example the teacher
contrasted the formal letter with the informal by elaborating on the style.
Contrast (noun) is the difference between two things. E.g.: The contrast between the two books
was so evident even though they were written by the same author.
Contrasting is a narrower activity than comparing, because you are only considering differences.
For example in an elocution competition the judgment is based on the performance of the student
who talks better than the other two students. Student A who won the first prize had fluency and matter in
her speech where as student B had matter but lesser command on the language. The above mentioned
description focuses only on the difference between the two participants and not their similarities.

DISTINGUISH
Distinguish means to point out differences between two things. You must be able to distinguish
between good and evil.
Distinction means, the difference that sets two things apart. The students drew a distinction between
healthy food and junk food.
The word can also mean the difference that makes one thing outstanding, or better than another. The
non-violence act put forth by Mahatma Gandhi was an exemplary act of distinction.