Synonyms

contrarian

American

[kuhn-trair-ee-uhn] / kənˈtrɛər i ən /

noun

a person who takes an opposing view, especially one who rejects the majority opinion, as in economic matters.

contrarian British

/ kənˈtrɛərɪən /

noun

1. a contrary or obstinate person
2. ( as modifier )
  
  a contrarian investor
  contrarian instincts

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of contrarian

contr(ary) + -arian

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.

See Examples For:

contrarian

Bank of America’s chief equity strategist, Michael Hartnett, always has an eye for the contrarian trade and left-tail possibilities.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

Here he deftly marshals the evidence in support of his contrarian pose.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

What is your most contrarian view about the AI cycle?

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

“He has a history of making smart, contrarian bets.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

“I hadn’t really thought about it, but I guess I was a contrarian too.”

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023