contradiction

American  

[kon-truh-dik-shuhn] / ˌkɒn trəˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

1. the act of contradicting; gainsaying or opposition.

2. assertion of the contrary or opposite; denial.

3. a statement or proposition that contradicts or denies another or itself and is logically incongruous.

4. direct opposition between things compared; inconsistency.

5. a contradictory act, fact, etc.

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contradiction British  

/ ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən /

noun

1. the act of going against; opposition; denial

2. a declaration of the opposite or contrary

3. a statement that is at variance with itself (often in the phrase a contradiction in terms )

4. conflict or inconsistency, as between events, qualities, etc

5. a person or thing containing conflicting qualities

6. logic a statement that is false under all circumstances; necessary falsehood

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Other Word Forms

• intercontradiction noun

Etymology

Origin of contradiction

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English contradiccioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin contrādictiōn-, stem of contrādictiō “counterargument, objection, reply”; equivalent to contradict + -ion

Example Sentences

This contradiction would shape American work for a century.

From The Wall Street Journal

The episode also underscores a broader contradiction in modern wellness culture, one where celebrities chase high-tech insights into their own health while simultaneously shaping how audiences interpret those results.

From Salon

Miles’ case underscores a stark contradiction: people whose ancestors inhabited this land for millennia can still be treated as outsiders, illustrating how legal recognition and federal enforcement often fail to align in practice.

From Salon

The sculptures lovingly sanctify a keystone’s rational but enigmatic contradiction of mechanics and function.

From Los Angeles Times

I fear we are turning out the most confused generation, with an affliction of contradiction.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• conflict
• difference
• disagreement
• discrepancy
• dispute
• inconsistency