1
as in contradictory
being as different as possible
the other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischievous
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
a contrary child who wouldn't behave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else
the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrary
Callum Booth, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Because myths are based on belief, the mere mention of an incident or circumstance will confirm the myth, while contrary information is conveniently ignored, downplayed or rationalized.
—Timothy J. Brown, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Adjective
These two contrary experiences create a sense of dissonance—and social media offers a way out.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Because myths are based on belief, the mere mention of an incident or circumstance will confirm the myth, while contrary information is conveniently ignored, downplayed or rationalized.
—Timothy J. Brown, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
Soldiers, to the contrary, have regularly stood by as settlers engage in wanton violence against Palestinians.
—Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrary
Adjective
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The brothers have denied all wrongdoing, and Andrew Tate has made contradictory claims on X about their plans to return to Romania or stay in Florida.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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In Washington, the sometimes contradictory orders issued by the three men -- Rubio, Musk and Marocco -- overseeing the USAID cuts have left many uncertain who was calling the shots and fueled talk of power struggles.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In just a matter of days, the TikTok video has amassed over 50 comments as many lauded Kevin's mischievous behavior.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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But rather than waking up to marbles scattered all over your floor or a mysteriously green dog, why not channel that mischievous energy into a family-friendly April Fool’s Day movie marathon?—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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On Wednesday, March 12, The Kardashians star was joined by her mother Kris Jenner for the latest episode of her Khloé in Wonderland podcast, where the two looked back at some of Khloé's rebellious childhood moments.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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Mickey, tasked with keeping her rebellious sister in line, never had the opportunity to be a kid.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For today’s Wales v England match in Cardiff, however, the Princess wore the polar opposite of a headline-generating look: a navy, military-style coat over a classic black turtleneck.—
Hayley Maitland,
Vogue,
15 Mar. 2025
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To a large majority of Canadians, Trump is the opposite of a stand-up bud, and Americans are to blame for electing him.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Believe it or not, between sipping delicious eggnog and hot cocoa and enjoying the joy of Yuletide with family and friends, there are still naughty killjoys afoot during Christmastime — the worst of which appear in some of the best holiday films.—
Mike Miller,
People.com,
19 Dec. 2024
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Here’s a look at the box without the lighting effects: The sarcophagus marks the latest viral popcorn collectible that theater chains have created to help boost revenue, with the infamous Dune popcorn bucket being the most famous and the Deadpool & Wolverine bucket being the most naughty.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The attacks started this week after reports emerged that Assad loyalists had ambushed and killed members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – the rebel group that spearheaded the rebellion that ousted the former Syrian leader.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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The singer and the songwriter traversed the frontlines of the urban guerrilla war that had consumed the city of Homs by that point, with one half of the city overtaken by regime soldiers and the other half controlled by rebel groups.—
Jawad Rizkallah,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Jayson Tatum kept the Celtics in the game most of the night with 33 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, but Brown had one of his worst games of the year with just 10 points.—
Jay King,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
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How to build good habits and break bad ones via tiny changes in behavior. … Paperback fiction 1.—
The California Independent Booksellers Alliance,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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After being yelled at, children often feel defiant, defensive, and disconnected from their parent.—
Daryl Austin,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2025
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Their bleeding champion — at the time a former and future president — raises a defiant fist.—
John Scott Lewinski,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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