contra

[ kon-truh ]

/ ˈkɒn trə /

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See synonyms for: contra / contras on Thesaurus.com

Definition of contra

preposition

against; in opposition or contrast to: Consider the problems of the teenager contra those of the adult.

adverb

contrariwise; on or to the contrary.

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Origin of contra

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin contrā

Words nearby contra

contour line, contour map, contour ploughing, contour sheet, contr., contra, contraband, contrabandist, contraband of war, contrabass, contrabasso

Other definitions for contra (2 of 4)

contra²

[ kon-truh; Spanish kawn-trah ]

/ ˈkɒn trə; Spanish ˈkɔn trɑ /

noun, plural con·tras

[kon-truhz; Spanish kawn-trahs]. /ˈkɒn trəz; Spanish ˈkɔn trɑs/.

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

Origin of contra

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

Other definitions for contra (3 of 4)

contra-¹

a prefix meaning “against,” “opposite,” “opposing”: contradistinction, contraindicate.

Origin of contra-

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

Other definitions for contra (4 of 4)

contra-²

a prefix meaning “pitched lower than” the voice or instrument specified by the following element: contralto, contrabassoon.

Origin of contra-

<Italian <Latin; see contra-¹, counterpoint

How to use contra in a sentence

They backed him in his war against the CIA-trained Contra rebels in the 1980s.
China’s Nicaragua Canal Could Spark a New Central America Revolution|Nina Lakhani|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Of all things they could have done, that was their first move,” hotel owner Adam Contra told The Daily Beast.
Soviet-Style Sexual Politics Returns|Will Cathcart|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But contra William Faulkner, there are signs that the past is finally becoming past.
It's Not Racist to Hate Government|Nick Gillespie|May 5, 2014|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.
Franck de las Mercedes Lost Everything in a Fire…Except His Faberge Egg|Justin Jones|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

More importantly, neither Iran-Contra nor impeachment were enough to dampen public affection for either president.
Worst Fifth Year Ever? Maybe. But the Economy Will be the Judge of Obama|Jamelle Bouie|December 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A unique novelty was the Contra Trombone on the Pedal of 64 feet actual length.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
If I am hated and despised, I chuckle over the "per contra."
The International Monthly Magazine, Volume 5, No. 1, January, 1852|Various
Per contra to all these advantages, other indications about the place are not so pleasing.
The Land of Fire|Mayne Reid
Philosophy is developed scientifically in his "Contra Gentes" and theology, scientifically in his great "Summa."
Education: How Old The New|James J. Walsh
Per contra, I had a skimpy bed and room, and just the necessaries of life as far as nursing was concerned.
Thirty Years in Australia|Ada Cambridge

British Dictionary definitions for contra

contra-

prefix

against; contrary; opposing; contrastingcontraceptive; contradistinction

(in music) pitched belowcontrabass

Word Origin for contra-

from Latin, from contrā against

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

contra

Definition of contra

Origin of contra

Words nearby contra

Other definitions for contra (2 of 4)

Origin of contra

Other definitions for contra (3 of 4)

Origin of contra-

Other definitions for contra (4 of 4)

Origin of contra-

Words related to contra

How to use contra in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contra

Word Origin for contra-