contrary

1 of 3

noun

plural contraries
1
: a fact or condition incompatible with another : opposite
usually used with the
2
: one of a pair of opposites
3
a
: a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 2a) so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true compare subcontrary
b
: either of two terms (such as good and evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject
1
: being so different as to be at opposite extremes : opposite
come to the contrary conclusion
went off in contrary directions
also : being opposite to or in conflict with each other
contrary viewpoints
2
: being not in conformity with what is usual or expected
actions contrary to company policy
contrary evidence
3
: unfavorable
used of wind or weather
4
: temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice

contrary

3 of 3

adverb

con·​trary ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē How to pronounce contrary (audio)
-ˌtre-rē,
 also  kən-ˈtrer-ē
Phrases
by contraries
obsolete : in a manner opposite to what is logical or expected
on the contrary
: just the opposite
The test will not be easy; on the contrary, it will be extremely difficult.
to the contrary
1
: on the contrary
2
Choose the Right Synonym for contrary

contrary, perverse, restive, balky, wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control.

contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

a contrary child

perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.

a perverse, intractable critic

restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.

tired soldiers growing restive

balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.

a balky witness

wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.

a school for wayward youths

synonyms see in addition opposite

Examples of contrary in a Sentence

Noun As kiss-and-tell books go, "Opening Arguments" by Jeffrey Toobin has few, if any, deep and sensuous secrets to reveal—this despite many news stories to the contrary. Nina Totenberg, New York Times Book Review, March 31, 1991
He was not, despite the mythology he and his press agents so assiduously manufactured, a risk taker. On the contrary, he was more often timid to the point of fecklessness. Christopher Buckley, New York Times Book Review, 4 Nov. 1990
Other men—a surprising number of them—do not feel anger or blame. On the contrary, they feel a strong blood tie to their fathers, and to them the discipline was a minor thing. Robert Bly, Iron John, 1990
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The context seemed to offer proof of William Blake’s adage: Without contraries is no progression. Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024 Anyone still out on new ownership is just a contrary a this point. Carl Anka, The Athletic, 29 July 2024
Adjective
Let your unit become a haven for contrary views and a hangout for people with progressive attitudes. Chip Bell, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024 While the rest of the world obsesses about incorporating the color into design, technology, marketing strategies, sunglass frames and energy bras, check out these contrary colors. R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Adverb
The suspect was not wearing an explosives-laden belt, Van der Sypt said, contrary to an initial eyewitness account from a railway official. Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 21 June 2017 See all Example Sentences for contrary 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English contrarie "the opposite, antithesis," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin contrārium, noun derivative from neuter of Latin contrārius "opposite, opposing" — more at contrary entry 2

Adjective

Middle English contrarie "(of a pair) opposed, opposite, discordant, unfavorable, antagonistic," borrowed from Anglo-French, "opposite, wrong, immoral, antagonistic," borrowed from Latin contrārius "opposite in position or kind, antithetical, opposing, adverse, hostile," from contrā, adverb & preposition, "opposite, facing, against" + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at contra-

Adverb

Middle English contrarie "on the contrary" (as translation of Latin ē contrāriō), (with to or ageyn) "in opposition to," derivative of contrarie, adjective, "opposed, contrary entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contrary was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near contrary

Cite this Entry

“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrary. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

contrary

1 of 2 noun
plural contraries
: something opposite or contrary
1
: exactly opposite : entirely different
contrary opinions
2
: being against or opposed : in violation
actions contrary to the law
3
: not favorable or helpful
a contrary wind
4
: unwilling to obey or behave well
a contrary child
contrarily
-ˌtrer-ə-lē
-ˈtrer-
adverb
contrariness
-ˌtrer-ē-nəs
-ˈtrer-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on contrary

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