au contraire
American-
on the contrary.
-
on the opposite or adverse side.
adverb
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.
“Using less water didn’t affect the harvest, au contraire, it actually improved the grapes’ quality.
From Forbes • Oct. 2, 2014
I don’t believe, bien au contraire, that anti-Semitism has its origins in secularism.
From Slate • Mar. 29, 2012
However, don't slump into a slough of despond – au contraire, simply learn to interpret facts; fashion them, if you like, to your advantage.
From The Guardian • Dec. 31, 2010
Humans have no fear of Twinkies and cheeseburgers - au contraire - although these foods have become more dangerous to our health than anything that skitters, flits or crawls.
From Washington Post • Oct. 25, 2010
Whenever I want to be more than ordinary in song, to be in some degree equal to your divine airs, do you imagine I fast and pray for the celestial emanation?—tout au contraire.
From The Romance of Biography (Vol 2 of 2) or Memoirs of Women Loved and Celebrated by Poets, from the Days of the Troubadours to the Present Age. 3rd ed. 2 Vols. by Jameson, Mrs. (Anna)
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.
