contrast vs differentiate

contrast is a noun but differentiate is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
contrast	Yes	No	Yes	No
differentiate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, differentiate is a hypernym of contrast; that is, differentiate is a word with a broader meaning than contrast:

Other hypernyms of contrast include distinguish, secern, secernate, separate, severalise, severalize, tell, tell apart.

contrast (noun)	differentiate (noun)
the act of distinguishing by comparing differences
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)
the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors
a conceptual separation or distinction
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

contrast (verb)	differentiate (verb)
put in opposition to show or emphasize differences	become distinct and acquire a different character
to show differences when compared; be different	become different during development
	evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
	calculate a derivative; take the derivative
	mark as different
	be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense