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I want to express a comparison between two concepts but emphasize their difference rather than their similarities.

Am I wrong in assuming that "analogue" connotes similarity?

Sample sentence: "In terms of walkability, Boston is a good [analogue] to sprawling Western cities like Phoenix or Salt Lake City."

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  • I have formulated a tentative answer, but it would help a lot if you were to offer a sample sentence or two involving the word you seek, as is standard practice hereabouts. – Brian Donovan Dec 16 '16 at 1:40
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    "Digital", obviously. ;) (Actually, "contrasting" is one possibility, depending on how you want to use the word. "Orthogonal" is another term that might fit certain cases.) – Hot Licks Dec 16 '16 at 1:49
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    lol @HotLicks :) – Justin Smith Dec 16 '16 at 1:55
  • Thesaurus.com doesn't come up with any useful antonyms for "analogue", but it does come up with these for "correspondence": clash difference disagreement discord disproportion dissimilarity imbalance incongruity irregularity mismatch opposition refusal unlikeness. – Hot Licks Dec 16 '16 at 2:01
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    How about "antithesis"? – Eriek Dec 16 '16 at 4:04
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As suggested by Hot Licks, contrast may be the word you are looking for. At least it's a good bet.

Dictionary.com:

contrast: a striking exhibition of unlikeness

Your example:

"In terms of walkability, Boston is a good contrast to sprawling Western cities like Phoenix or Salt Lake City."

Another good possibility, even more of an antonym, is antipode.

Dictionary.com:

antipode: a direct or exact opposite

Your example:

"In terms of walkability, Boston is an antipode to sprawling Western cities like Phoenix or Salt Lake City."

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Perhaps, it is a counterexample - an example which is opposite to the one(s) it is being compared to, in the specific context.

"In terms of walkability, Boston is a good counterexample to sprawling Western cities like Phoenix or Salt Lake City."

ODO:

counterexample NOUN

An example that opposes or contradicts an idea or theory:
‘the media presented him as a counterexample to the common stereotypes’

‘As a counterexample, another firm in a similar situation abandoned their original facility consolidation plan.’

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No, you are not wrong. For the antonym, try antitype:

An opposite or contrasting type (American Heritage)
An opposite type (Collins)

Both dictionaries number this sense 2, following one involving linkages between Old and New Testaments; but the word is perfectly serviceable for this second sense.

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