contradict
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to assert the contrary or opposite of; deny directly and categorically.
- Synonyms:
- dispute, controvert, impugn, gainsay
- Antonyms:
- support
-
to speak contrary to the assertions of.
to contradict oneself.
- Synonyms:
- dispute, controvert, impugn, gainsay
-
(of an action or event) to imply a denial of.
His way of life contradicts his stated principles.
-
Obsolete. to speak or declare against; oppose.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(tr) to affirm the opposite of (a proposition, statement, etc)
-
(tr) to declare (a proposition, statement, etc) to be false or incorrect; deny
-
(intr) to be argumentative or contrary
-
(tr) to be inconsistent with (a proposition, theory, etc)
the facts contradicted his theory
-
(intr) (of two or more facts, principles, etc) to be at variance; be in contradiction
Related Words
See deny.
Other Word Forms
- contradictable adjective
- contradicter noun
- contradictive adjective
- contradictively adverb
- contradictiveness noun
- contradictor noun
- uncontradictable adjective
- uncontradictably adverb
- uncontradicted adjective
- uncontradictedly adverb
Etymology
Origin of contradict
First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin contrādictus “spoken against,” past participle of contrādīcere “to gainsay, speak against,” from contrā- contra- 1 ( def. ) + dīcere “to say, speak, tell”
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.
The ensemble contradicts the singers but also eggs them on.
From Los Angeles Times
And, having trackers embedded in your VPN app is a bit like putting yourself on an all-cake diet to lose weight — it kind of contradicts your mission statement.
From Salon
He contradicted himself several times in speeches on Monday and Tuesday, sometimes within the same minute — and he did this over two crucial international crises.
From Salon
Upon her death in 2017, Mr. Wonder credited her with sharpening his lyricism and keeping him at Motown—thus contradicting Mr. Robinson’s claim that Mr. Wonder’s contract was safe all along.
Not to contradict the title of your special, but I screened “None Too Pleased,” and it’s super pleasing and so funny.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
