contradictory
Americanadjective
-
asserting the contrary or opposite; contradicting; inconsistent; logically opposite.
contradictory statements.
- Synonyms:
- paradoxical, irreconcilable
-
tending or inclined to contradict.
noun
adjective
-
inconsistent; incompatible
-
given to argument and contention
a contradictory person
-
logic (of a pair of statements) unable both to be true or both to be false under the same circumstances Compare contrary subcontrary
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of contradictory
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin contrādictōrius; equivalent to contradict + -ory 1
Explanation
A contradictory statement is one that says two things that cannot both be true. An example: My sister is jealous of me because I'm an only child. Contradictory is related to the verb contradict, which means to say or do the opposite, and contrary, which means to take an opposite view. When witnesses give contradictory accounts of crimes—one saying the assailant had a knife and the other a gun—police officers often assume that at least one of the witnesses is lying.
Vocabulary lists containing contradictory
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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Opposites Attract
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Contradictory signals are coming out of Homeland Security about the future of CP3 work, especially the grant program.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025
Contradictory reports on social media cited an explosive device, an attempted escape and an infiltration of the prison from the outside.
From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2022
Contradictory messaging around masking in theaters, continuing COVID-related cancellations and a stubborn pattern of audiences sticking close to home combined to create a perilous landscape for the performing arts.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2022
Contradictory messages from authorities over the scheme and plans for a city-wide lockdown have sparked panic buying by residents, who have been emptying supermarket shelves for over 11 days.
From Reuters • Mar. 10, 2022
The Sceptic says, "Contradictory predicates are apparently applicable to the same thing," and Aenesidemus accepts the Heraclitan result—"Contradictory predicates are in reality applicable to the same thing."
From Sextus Empiricus and Greek Scepticism by Patrick, Mary Mills
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
