contradict

[ kon-truh-dikt ]

/ ˌkɒn trəˈdɪkt /

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.

Nearby words

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

SYNONYMS FOR contradict

1, 2. gainsay, impugn, controvert, dispute.

ANTONYMS FOR contradict

1. support.

Related forms

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

Synonym study

1, 2. See deny.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for contradictor

To threaten every contradictor with severe punishment was an inquisitor's argument, and scarcely admitted of a reply.
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century (Volume 1)|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
But it went, he said, just like a decreet in absence, and was lost for want of a contradictor.
Red Gauntlet|Sir Walter Scott
The silence and the empty chair beside her quickly reminded her that her contradictor was gone—perhaps forever.
Belford's Magazine, Vol 2, December 1888|Various
Therefore all the ancient churches, without one contradictor that ever I read of, did use many such.
A Christian Directory (Volume 1 of 4)|Richard Baxter

But he liked a listener and he loved to thresh out every question immediately and to put down the contradictor.
A Tatter of Scarlet|S. R. Crockett

British Dictionary definitions for contradictor

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

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

Word Origin and History for contradictor

contradict

1570s, "speak against," also "assert the contrary" (1580s), from Latin contradictus, past participle of contradicere (see contradiction). Related: Contradicted; contradicting; contradictive.