contradict

[kon-truh-dikt]

verb (used with object)

1. to assert the contrary or opposite of; deny directly and categorically.

   Synonyms: dispute, controvert, impugn, gainsay
   Antonyms: support

2. to speak contrary to the assertions of.

   to contradict oneself.

   Synonyms: dispute, controvert, impugn, gainsay

3. (of an action or event) to imply a denial of.

   His way of life contradicts his stated principles.

4. Obsolete.,  to speak or declare against; oppose.

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a contrary statement.

contradict

/ ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt /

verb

1. (tr) to affirm the opposite of (a proposition, statement, etc)

2. (tr) to declare (a proposition, statement, etc) to be false or incorrect; deny

3. (intr) to be argumentative or contrary

4. (tr) to be inconsistent with (a proposition, theory, etc)

   the facts contradicted his theory

5. (intr) (of two or more facts, principles, etc) to be at variance; be in contradiction

Other Word Forms

• contradictiveness noun
• contradictable adjective
• contradictively adverb
• contradictive adjective
• contradicter noun
• contradictor noun
• uncontradictable adjective
• uncontradictably adverb
• uncontradicted adjective
• uncontradictedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of contradict¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of contradict¹

C16: from Latin contrādīcere, from _contra- + dīcere to speak, say

Synonym Study

See deny.

Example Sentences

Leavitt consistently contradicts reality with ease — it’s a skill that would cause mental collapse in a person with a conscience.

From Salon

While detained, he noticed authorities had branded the interrogation area as a pseudo-mental wellness safe space — messaging that contradicted the reality of his experience.

From Los Angeles Times

It later said that Qatari officials were not notified of the Israeli strike ahead of time, contradicting the US statement.

From BBC

In turn, senators accused him of taking actions that contradict his promise seven months earlier that he would do “nothing that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking vaccines.”

From Los Angeles Times

However, S&P’s report acknowledged that satellite data showed a much more modest reduction of 4%, contradicting the company’s own data, which was collected by airplane.

From Salon

Related Words

• belie 
• contravene 
• counter 
• deny 
• differ 
• disprove 
• negate 
• repudiate