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

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

In other words, while millions of Trump supporters are still decent human beings, the parts of them that support Trump’s fascistic policies and practices — the contempt for democracy, the appeals to hate against women and minorities and poor people, the opposition to democracy, the disregard for facts that contradict their narrative — are most definitely not decent.

From Salon

"These gaps were accompanied by statements and actions that contradict the decisions of the government and the decisions of the cabinet," he added.

From BBC

Not only does the decision appear to contradict federal law, but constitutes what former U.S.

From Salon

Social media consultant Matt Navarra told the BBC the move "seems to somewhat contradict Instagram's earlier messages or efforts to encourage new creators".

From BBC

Related Words

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