CONTRADICTORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'contradictory' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contradictory are antithetical , contrary , and opposite . While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid. // made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

Q: When can 'antithetical' be used instead of 'contradictory'?

The synonyms antithetical and contradictory are sometimes interchangeable, but antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition. // a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'contrary' instead of 'contradictory'?

While the synonyms contrary and contradictory are close in meaning, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition. // contrary assessments of the war situation

Q: Where would 'opposite' be a reasonable alternative to 'contradictory'?

The meanings of opposite and contradictory largely overlap; however, opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict. // opposite views on foreign aid

contradictory

adjective

ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē

Definition of contradictory next

as in contrary

being as different as possible contradictory predictions regarding stock prices that were of no help to investors at all

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How does the adjective contradictory differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contradictory are antithetical, contrary, and opposite. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

When can antithetical be used instead of contradictory?

The synonyms antithetical and contradictory are sometimes interchangeable, but antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

When is it sensible to use contrary instead of contradictory?

While the synonyms contrary and contradictory are close in meaning, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

Where would opposite be a reasonable alternative to contradictory?

The meanings of opposite and contradictory largely overlap; however, opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of contradictory When the occupiers are closing in on the man, Tregenza films a resulting act of violence with a furious restraint that highlights the moral agony of an exalted but dangerous commitment—of the tragedy of contradictory vows. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025 This is a misguided, contradictory, and unnecessary effort. —

Jorge G. CastaÑeda, Foreign Affairs, 4 Feb. 2025 Colman is excellent, as usual, indicating the complicated and sometimes contradictory emotions the trip unearths, as Frances shifts their trust to a man who wasn’t always as caring toward Hannah. —

Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025 Achieving this alignment is challenging due to the complexity of human values, which are often ambiguous, contradictory and context-dependent. —

Thorsten Zander, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for contradictory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contradictory

Adjective

Clueless owner allows manipulative, conniving GM to convince him, in the face of mountains of contrary evidence, that the head coach is the problem.

— Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
For such an inelegant behavior to be in chatbots as widespread and popular as GPT is a blunt reminder of two larger, seemingly contrary phenomena.

— Jonathan L. Zittrain, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024