on the contrary

American  

phrase

1. the opposite is true; not at all; by no means (often used as an interjection).

2. (used to introduce a statement contradictory or opposing to a previous one).

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on the contrary Idioms  

1. It's the opposite, as in Is his shoulder hurting?—On the contrary, it's all better, or We thought you didn't like opera.—On the contrary, I love it. This phrase, at first put as by or for or in the contrary, dates from the late 1300s; on has been used since the mid-1800s.

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Example Sentences

"On the contrary, we need a multilateralism that is more deeply rooted in the people and not just in governments, biases or economic lobbying. We need new alignments, new alliances."

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

On the contrary, it is entirely to be expected that market prices will swing wildly on either side of fair value — not just for bitcoin, but for every investable asset.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

On the contrary, Carlson eventually came to realize that the pathway to professional success was to double, triple and even quadruple down on being the hack Stewart accused him of being.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2026

On the contrary, the measures are a huge economic reform.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

On the contrary, most of them bolted their locks, drew their shutters, and pretended to be out.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• individually
• negatively
• separately
• variously