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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

This acts as a contrarian bearish signal because it often means a narrow handful of mega-cap stocks are artificially holding up broader indices.

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation on Friday, ending the tenure of a long-term contrarian who appeared to be at odds with President Donald Trump over the Iran war.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Dave Ruhland of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky told Slate that he thought Massie “was being a contrarian just to be a contrarian.”

From Slate • May 20, 2026

But he was a natural contrarian, a born critic, whose fullest energies manifested themselves in the act of doing intellectual isometric exercises against the fixed objects presented by someone else's ideas.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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