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• contra
  contra

  preposition

  against; in opposition or contrast to.
• contra-
  contra-

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

contra

¹ American  

[kon-truh] / ˈkɒn trə /

preposition

1. against; in opposition or contrast to.

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

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adverb

1. contrariwise; on or to the contrary.

contra ² American  

[kon-truh, kawn-trah] / ˈkɒn trə, ˈkɔn trɑ /

noun

contras plural

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

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contra- ³ American  

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

   contradistinction, contraindicate.

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contra- ⁴ American  

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

   contralto, contrabassoon.

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contra- British  

prefix

1. against; contrary; opposing; contrasting

   contraceptive

   contradistinction

2. (in music) pitched below

   contrabass

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• contras
  plural

Etymology

Origin of contra¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin contrā

Origin of contra²

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

Origin of contra-³

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

Origin of contra-⁴

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

Example Sentences

He stands as a perfect contra- diction to those pedants who insist that journalism makes artistry impossible.

From Time Magazine Archive

Although the NSC directed the contra- resupply network, Poindexter told Congress that his agency was adhering to the letter and spirit of the law.

From Time Magazine Archive

Just days before the scheduled start of Gates' hearings, Alan Fiers, a former top CIA official, pleaded guilty to withholding information from Congress about his own knowledge of the contra- supply operation.

From Time Magazine Archive

In fact, a few campesinos destined for the camps have instead made their way to contra- controlled areas along the border with Honduras.

From Time Magazine Archive

Let us see whether there are any contra- dictions in the Bible.

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 5 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Ingersoll, Robert Green

Related Words

• antithesis
• contrary