contrarious

[ kuhn-trair-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. Chiefly Appalachian. perverse; refractory.
2. Archaic. adverse; unfavorable.

contrarious

/ kənˈtrɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. (of people or animals) perverse or obstinate
2. (of conditions) unfavourable

Derived Forms

• conˈtrariousness, noun
• conˈtrariously, adverb

Other Words From

• con·trari·ous·ly adverb
• con·trari·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrarious¹

1250–1300; Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Latin contrārius contrary; -ous

Example Sentences

Alas! what more contrarious deed, What greater miracle of wrong than this, That man should know his good and take it not?

From Project Gutenberg

With regard to the charges of excessive drinking made against Paine, I have sifted a vast mass of contrarious testimonies, and arrived at the following conclusions.

From Project Gutenberg

Volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious guests Upon thy doings!

From Project Gutenberg

Well, she does, and that’s all in her favour; women being for the most part discontented, contrarious things—especially discontented.

From Project Gutenberg

The Gaelic man had no sooner entered the Kirk o' the General Assembly," they said, "than the maister of the Assembly rose, and, speaking very rough, said, 'Ye contrarious rascal, what tak's you here?

From Project Gutenberg