contrast vs distinguish

contrast is a noun but distinguish is not a noun.

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

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

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

contrast (noun)	distinguish (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)	distinguish (verb)
put in opposition to show or emphasize differences	mark as different
to show differences when compared; be different	identify as in botany or biology, for example
	be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense
	make conspicuous or noteworthy
	detect with the senses