1
as in contradictory
being as different as possible
the other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischievous
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
a contrary child who wouldn't behave
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3
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination
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as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else
the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrary
Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Trump, characteristically, did not back down from his original point even when contrary facts became known.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Adjective
No Franchise Shift Matt Seidler, 19 years younger than Peter, also stated in his letter that relocation of the franchise from San Diego has never been discussed or contemplated – despite Sheel’s contrary claims.
—Noun
Soldiers, to the contrary, have regularly stood by as settlers engage in wanton violence against Palestinians.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrary
Adjective
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The White House’s contradictory positions will be partly to blame here.—
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Throughout his time on the stand, Ephron delivered lively testimony, and his contradictory statements could complicate the jury's verdict.—
Adjective
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About 24 hours later, the mischievous feline found her forever home.—
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That fierce jaw, those full lips, the upper one bowed and sweet — at odds with the mischievous grin tugging at its corners.—
Adjective
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Luna will meet with rebellious Uranus in a surprising trine, bringing a jolt of excitement and unexpected revelations to your love life.—
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The wildly rebellious press across Europe are a vibrant sign of its free speech.—
Noun
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These are the polar opposite of the massive Yes, Genesis, and King Crimson concerts of his past, but that’s precisely the point.—
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Andrew Scott’s composer is the opposite of Hart in every way, as the pair were described in life.—
Adjective
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So Robert here, sitting in broad daylight smack bang in downtown Portland with four fentanyl pills on open display beside him, is now being slightly legally naughtier than during decriminalization.—
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The effect, as customer Dave Harwood of Orlando noted on his way out the door, was not particularly naughty.—
Adjective
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The shocking defeat of Bashar al-Assad’s regime by rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham prompted a groundswell of domestic and international optimism.—
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Nearly 3,000 people were killed over the past week in fighting between a rebel group and Congolese armed forces, the U.N. estimated.—
Adjective
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The weather was bad enough that MassDOT dropped the speed limit on the pike and forbid tandem trucks from the road.—
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Hudl clips are cut from the previous training session, with three good things and three bad things presented.—
Adjective
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That’s a defiant stance for a horror movie to take.—
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Pierce answered all of them in resounding, almost defiant, fashion.—
Cite this Entry
“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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