contradict

[kon-truh-dikt]

verb (used with object)

1. to assert the contrary or opposite of; deny directly and categorically.

   Synonyms: dispute, controvert, impugn, gainsay
   Antonyms: support

2. to speak contrary to the assertions of.

   to contradict oneself.

   Synonyms: dispute, controvert, impugn, gainsay

3. (of an action or event) to imply a denial of.

   His way of life contradicts his stated principles.

4. Obsolete.,  to speak or declare against; oppose.

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a contrary statement.

contradict

/ ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt /

verb

1. (tr) to affirm the opposite of (a proposition, statement, etc)

2. (tr) to declare (a proposition, statement, etc) to be false or incorrect; deny

3. (intr) to be argumentative or contrary

4. (tr) to be inconsistent with (a proposition, theory, etc)

   the facts contradicted his theory

5. (intr) (of two or more facts, principles, etc) to be at variance; be in contradiction

Other Word Forms

• contradictable adjective
• contradicter noun
• contradictor noun
• uncontradictable adjective
• uncontradictably adverb
• uncontradicted adjective
• uncontradictedly adverb
• contradictiveness noun
• contradictively adverb
• contradictive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contradict¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin contrādictus “spoken against,” past participle of contrādīcere “to gainsay, speak against,” from contrā- contra- ¹ ( def. ) + dīcere “to say, speak, tell”

Word History and Origins

Origin of contradict¹

C16: from Latin contrādīcere, from _contra- + dīcere to speak, say

Synonym Study

See deny.

Example Sentences

Galda said the email was taken out of context and is contradicted by other messages.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The video of the aborted detention reviewed by the Times contradicts public accounts by Department of Homeland Security officials, who said Parias had “previously escaped from custody.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This contradicts Andrew’s claim in 2019 that he had no contact with Epstein since a photograph of them was taken in New York’s Central Park in 2010.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The author contends that meme stocks remain a persistent and problematic phenomenon in financial markets, contradicting earlier expectations that the trend would dissipate after the 2020-2021 period.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The president contradicted himself immediately when a reporter asked a follow-up question about whether he’d consider a vice presidential run.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• belie 
• contravene 
• counter 
• deny 
• differ 
• disprove 
• negate 
• repudiate