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; Spanish kawn-trah ]

noun

, plural con·tras [kon, -tr, uh, z, kawn, -t, r, ahs].

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

They backed him in his war against the CIA-trained Contra rebels in the 1980s.

From The Daily Beast

“Of all things they could have done, that was their first move,” hotel owner Adam Contra told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

But contra William Faulkner, there are signs that the past is finally becoming past.

From The Daily Beast

The country had just emerged from a civil war and was in the midst of the rising Contra conflict of the early 1980s.

From The Daily Beast

More importantly, neither Iran-Contra nor impeachment were enough to dampen public affection for either president.

From The Daily Beast

A unique novelty was the Contra Trombone on the Pedal of 64 feet actual length.

From Project Gutenberg

If I am hated and despised, I chuckle over the "per contra."

From Project Gutenberg

Per contra to all these advantages, other indications about the place are not so pleasing.

From Project Gutenberg

Philosophy is developed scientifically in his "Contra Gentes" and theology, scientifically in his great "Summa."

From Project Gutenberg

Per contra, I had a skimpy bed and room, and just the necessaries of life as far as nursing was concerned.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• antithesis
• contrary