contravene

[ kon-truh-veen ]

verb (used with object)

, con·tra·vened, con·tra·ven·ing.

1. to come or be in conflict with; go or act against; deny or oppose:

   to contravene a statement.

2. to violate, infringe, or transgress:

   to contravene the law.

contravene

/ ˌkɒntrəˈviːn; ˌkɒntrəˈvɛnʃən /

verb

1. to come into conflict with or infringe (rules, laws, etc)
2. to dispute or contradict (a statement, proposition, etc)

Derived Forms

• contravention, noun
• ˌcontraˈvener, noun

Other Words From

• contra·vener noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contravene¹

1560–70; < Late Latin contrāvenīre, equivalent to Latin contrā against + venīre to come

Word History and Origins

Origin of contravene¹

C16: from Late Latin contrāvenīre, from Latin contra- + venīre to come

Example Sentences

Malaysia's communications ministry said it took an "unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule or contravene Malaysian laws".

From BBC

But a recent State Department report says provisions in Cuba’s penal and administrative codes “contravene these protections.”

From Seattle Times

The Scottish scheme was due to have started by now, but ministers north of the border were warned their plans could contravene the UK Internal Market Act.

From BBC

Tehran's police chief said on Saturday the new initiative would "confront social taboo-breaking over hijab and chastity and those who seek to expressly contravene hijab rules" - a reference to the many women and girls who have defiantly stopped covering their hair in public.

From BBC

“Even as the president was attacking science, they needed to pay attention to facts that might contravene their views because their lives and those of their children were literally at stake.”

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• breach
• conflict with
• defy
• disobey
• hinder
• impugn
• infringe
• interfere
• negate
• overstep
• repudiate
• transgress
• violate