contradict

[ kon-truh-dikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to assert the contrary or opposite of; deny directly and categorically.

   Synonyms: dispute, controvert, impugn, gainsay

   Antonyms: support

2. to speak contrary to the assertions of:

   to contradict oneself.

   Synonyms: dispute, controvert, impugn, gainsay

3. (of an action or event) to imply a denial of:

   His way of life contradicts his stated principles.

4. Obsolete. to speak or declare against; oppose.

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a contrary statement.

contradict

/ ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt /

verb

1. tr to affirm the opposite of (a proposition, statement, etc)
2. tr to declare (a proposition, statement, etc) to be false or incorrect; deny
3. intr to be argumentative or contrary
4. tr to be inconsistent with (a proposition, theory, etc)

   the facts contradicted his theory

5. intr (of two or more facts, principles, etc) to be at variance; be in contradiction

Derived Forms

• ˌcontraˈdictiveness, noun
• ˌcontraˈdictable, adjective
• ˌcontraˈdictively, adverb
• ˌcontraˈdictive, adjective
• ˌcontraˈdicter, noun

Other Words From

• contra·dicta·ble adjective
• contra·dicter contra·dictor noun
• uncon·tra·dicta·ble adjective
• uncon·tra·dicta·bly adverb
• uncon·tra·dicted adjective
• uncon·tra·dicted·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of contradict¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin contrādictus “spoken against,” past participle of contrādīcere “to gainsay, speak against,” from contrā- contra- ¹( def ) + dīcere “to say, speak, tell”

Word History and Origins

Origin of contradict¹

C16: from Latin contrādīcere, from contra- + dīcere to speak, say

Synonym Study

See deny.

Example Sentences

The BBC has not been able to verify independently the contradicting figures.

From BBC

That’s contradicted by a respected study from New Zealand that showed its personnel suffered genetic damage from attending the British tests.

From BBC

The previous Trump administration declared in 2019 that it did not consider Israeli settlements illegal under international law, contradicting decades of US policy.

From BBC

Intermediate court rulings in these cases contradict each other and raise issues that haven’t been seen before even in high-tech intellectual property law.

From Los Angeles Times

Let’s start with their explanation: The abstract ideas of liberty were excellent, they argued, but contradicted by “racial feudalism.”

From Salon

Related Words

• belie
• contravene
• counter
• deny
• differ
• disprove
• negate
• repudiate