contradict

[ kon-truh-dikt ]

/ ˌkɒn trəˈdɪkt /

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See synonyms for: contradict / contradicted / contradicting / contradicts on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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

to speak contrary to the assertions of: to contradict oneself.

(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)

to utter a contrary statement.

OTHER WORDS FOR contradict

1, 2 gainsay, impugn, controvert, dispute.

See synonyms for contradict on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR contradict

1 support.

See antonyms for contradict on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of contradict

1560–70; <Latin contrādictus (past participle of contrādīcere to gainsay), equivalent to contrā- contra-¹ + dic- (variant stem of dīcere to speak) + -tus past participle suffix

synonym study for contradict

1, 2. See deny.

OTHER WORDS FROM contradict

con·tra·dict·a·ble, adjectivecon·tra·dict·er, con·tra·dic·tor, nounun·con·tra·dict·a·ble, adjectiveun·con·tra·dict·a·bly, adverb

un·con·tra·dict·ed, adjectiveun·con·tra·dict·ed·ly, adverb

Words nearby contradict

contract practice, contractual, contracture, contracyclical, contradance, contradict, contradiction, contradiction in terms, contradictious, contradictive, contradictory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use contradict in a sentence

McCann has tried to tell daters these contradicting traits generally don’t come in the same package.
What’s sexy in a pandemic? Caution.|Lisa Bonos|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
He said scholarly studies can often contradict each other, which may explain why these conversations persist.
Video games deserve better than blanket, parachute coverage from reporters who don’t get it|Gene Park|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
Those responses have sometimes contradicted previous guidance from the agency, leaving health care providers confused about how money can be used and what the agency would seek to claw back.
How the CARES Act Forgot America’s Most Vulnerable Hospitals|by Brianna Bailey, The Frontier|January 26, 2021|ProPublica
We can contradict the breach with every prayer, every policy, every sermon from every pulpit, and every call to the people.
'We Must Have a Third Reconstruction.' Read the Full Text of the Rev. William J. Barber II's Sermon at the Inaugural Prayer Service|William J. Barber II|January 21, 2021|Time

One of his early crimes, shown in flashback, appears to contradict that code.
‘Lupin’ is a thrilling heist series, but it goes deeper than that|Bethonie Butler|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
Do the varied autopsy reports support or contradict witness testimony?
There’s No Conspiracy in Ferguson’s Secret Jury|Paul Callan|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It would also contradict the official Ukrainian government line, which is that Russian personnel hit the button.
U.S. Intelligence: Separatists, Not Russians, Killed MH17|Josh Rogin|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These orders must be specifically linked to his executive authority and must not contradict a statute passed by Congress.
Obama: A President Tests His Limits|Ron Christie|January 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And what if the parts we cannot see contradict the ones we do?
The True Muslim Revolutionaries and Their Fight Against Extremism|Timothy Michael Law|August 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The report says, "In many cases, these NGO activities directly contradict American policies in support of peace efforts."
NGO Monitor's Selective Attacks on Groups Opposed to U.S. Policies|Ali Gharib|May 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Thomas goes on to contradict Aristotle, in holding quod nullum ens esset nisi corpus.
The Mediaeval Mind (Volume II of II)|Henry Osborn Taylor
The circle around did not exactly contradict him, but exhibited expressive appearances of incredulity.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
Certainly, replied the shorter man; and whatever Mr. Giles says it isnt our place to contradict him.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
But yet let not any man judge: and let not a man be rebuked: for thy people are as they that contradict the priest.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Somebody presumes to contradict him, and clearly proves to him that what he says is untrue.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre|Jean de La Bruyre

British Dictionary definitions for contradict

contradict

/ (ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt) /

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

Derived forms of contradict

contradictable, adjectivecontradicter or contradictor, nouncontradictive or contradictious, adjectivecontradictively or contradictiously, adverb

contradictiveness or contradictiousness, noun

Word Origin for contradict

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

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

contradict

OTHER WORDS FOR contradict

OPPOSITES FOR contradict

Origin of contradict

synonym study for contradict

OTHER WORDS FROM contradict

Words nearby contradict

Words related to contradict

How to use contradict in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contradict

Derived forms of contradict

Word Origin for contradict