contravene
Americanverb (used with object)
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contravenes,
present (3rd person singular)
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contravened,
past participle, past
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contravening
present participle
-
to come or be in conflict with; go or act against; deny or oppose.
to contravene a statement.
-
to violate, infringe, or transgress.
to contravene the law.
verb
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to come into conflict with or infringe (rules, laws, etc)
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to dispute or contradict (a statement, proposition, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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contravenesimple
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contravenessimple
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have contravenedperfect
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has contravenedperfect
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am contraveningprogressive
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are contraveningprogressive
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is contraveningprogressive
-
have been contraveningperfect progressive
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has been contraveningperfect progressive
Past
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contravenedsimple
-
had contravenedperfect
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was contraveningprogressive
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were contraveningprogressive
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had been contraveningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of contravene
1560–70; < Late Latin contrāvenīre, equivalent to Latin contrā against + venīre to come
Explanation
To contravene means to go against or defy. You might contravene your parents' ban on sweets when your friend offers to share her candy because chocolate tastes too good to resist! If you contravene something in practice, you act in direct violation of a particular law or rule. Think about the times when someone has told you not to cross a line and you do anyway. You can also contravene in words though, which means you contradict or argue against a statement. Let's say you're debating gun control. If your opponent says that for the safety of all, it should be legal to carry a concealed weapon wherever you go, you might answer that the more concealed weapons there are, the more violence. You are contravening your opponent's argument.
Vocabulary lists containing contravene
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“This represents an important victory for the principle that women who speak out about sexual abuse should not be silenced by NDAs that contravene California law,” Barnett attorney Rosengart said in the notice.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
The executive order also seemed to contravene an 1898 Supreme Court decision that confirmed that U.S.-born children of immigrant parents are entitled to American citizenship.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
While strictly speaking the events seem to contravene restrictions imposed on mass gatherings, they have been tolerated by the authorities.
From Barron's ● Mar. 10, 2026
That leads into Colorado’s second justification—that conversion therapy does indeed contravene the standard of care by subjecting minors to “discredited” quackery far more likely to harm than help.
From Slate ● Oct. 7, 2025
We must indeed accept our feelings; but we must also believe much which is not directly testified by sensation, if only it serves to explain phenomena and does not contravene our sensations.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6 "English Language" to "Epsom Salts" by Various
The UN and other aid groups refuse to co-operate with the new system, saying it contravenes the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2025
Diarra's legal team successfully argued that the world governing body's current system contravenes EU laws regarding freedom of movement of players and competition between clubs.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2024
"It contravenes Indonesia’s international obligations in relation to respect and protection for freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression," he said.
From Reuters ● Sep. 20, 2023
Justice is always served when a court does not allow a defendant to manipulate a federal statute to their advantage in a way that contravenes its purpose.
From Slate ● Sep. 12, 2023
I have employed too many nobles in political positions, which contravenes constitutionalism.
From China and the Manchus by Herbert Allen Giles
Ofcom has concluded that meant Fenix contravened its legal duty to provide accurate information, so levied the fine.
From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2025
The ombudsman told BBC News NI she had referred her report to the Nursing and Midwifery Council as she felt the falsification of records contravened the professional code of conduct.
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2025
Detractors said the plan contravened Kenya’s constitution because it would place officers in unnecessary danger and was carried out without broader public dialogue or the direct authorization of the government agencies tasked with national security.
From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2024
However, a 2022 report from the UN determined that the case contravened international law and that Mr Pether and Mr Khalid had been subjected to "abusive and coercive" interrogations.
From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2024
But if we are to deal with the Cosmos we must first understand it, even if our hopes for some unearned preferential status are, in the process, contravened.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
The flight did not seek authorisation from Saudi Arabia, contravening a practice in place for a decade.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
Phiri's lawyer, Powell Nkutabasa, told AFP the main allegations were misuse of office, contravening procurement procedures and dealing in "terrorist" property.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
He sticks to beliefs even in the face of contravening evidence.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The captain of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker which was intercepted by Royal Marine Commandos in the English Channel on Sunday has been charged with contravening sanctions, the National Crime Agency said.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
The International Confederation of Wizards has had to fine certain nations repeatedly for contravening Clause 73.
From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling
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