contra

¹

[kon-truh]

preposition

1. against; in opposition or contrast to.

   Consider the problems of the teenager contra those of the adult.

adverb

1. contrariwise; on or to the contrary.

contra-

²

1. a prefix meaning “against,” “opposite,” “opposing”.

   contradistinction, contraindicate.

contra

³

[kon-truh, kawn-trah]

noun

plural

contras 

1. (often initial capital letter),  a member of a counterrevolutionary guerrilla group in Nicaragua.

contra-

⁴

1. a prefix meaning “pitched lower than” the voice or instrument specified by the following element.

   contralto, contrabassoon.

contra-

prefix

1. against; contrary; opposing; contrasting

   contraceptive

   contradistinction

2. (in music) pitched below

   contrabass

Word History and Origins

Origin of contra¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin contrā

Origin of contra²

< Late Latin, Latin, prefixal use of adverb and preposition contrā

Origin of contra³

First recorded in 1980–85; from Central American Spanish, shortening of contrarrevolucionario “counterrevolutionary”

Origin of contra⁴

< Italian < Latin; contra- ¹ ( def. ), counterpoint

Word History and Origins

Origin of contra¹

from Latin, from contrā against

Example Sentences

Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Crane Pest Control, and Orkin Services quickly settled with Ventura, Orange and Riverside counties and nine other California counties over allegations made against the trio in Contra Costa Superior Court.

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The district attorneys for Contra Costa and San Mateo counties began an investigation into the trio of pest control providers in 2021.

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“The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to ensuring companies are held accountable for conduct that endangers the environment and our citizens,” said Contra Costa Dist.

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Contra Costa County Superior Court also mandated a third-party auditor to inspect at least 10% of the companies’ dumpsters over the next five years, proper training for employees, and a minimum of 2,000 annual hours of environmental compliance reviews and oversight.

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As he phrased it in Latin, bellum omnium contra omnes, which is to say, everyone would be at war with everyone else.

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Related Words

• antithesis 
• contrary