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contradict

[kon-truh-dikt]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to assert the contrary or opposite of; deny directly and categorically.
  2. to speak contrary to the assertions of: to contradict oneself.
  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.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to utter a contrary statement.
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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
Related formscon·tra·dict·a·ble, adjectivecon·tra·dict·er, con·tra·dic·tor, nounun·con·tra·dict·a·ble, adjectiveun·con·tra·dict·a·bly, adverbun·con·tra·dict·ed, adjectiveun·con·tra·dict·ed·ly, adverb

Synonyms

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

Synonym study

1, 2. See deny.

Antonyms

1. support.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for contradictor

Historical Examples

  • But it went, he said, just like a decreet in absence, and was lost for want of a contradictor.

    Red Gauntlet

    Sir Walter Scott

  • To threaten every contradictor with severe punishment was an inquisitor's argument, and scarcely admitted of a reply.

  • Therefore all the ancient churches, without one contradictor that ever I read of, did use many such.

  • 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

  • The silence and the empty chair beside her quickly reminded her that her contradictor was gone—perhaps forever.

British Dictionary definitions for contradictor

contradict

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
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Derived Formscontradictable, adjectivecontradicter or contradictor, nouncontradictive or contradictious, adjectivecontradictively or contradictiously, adverbcontradictiveness or contradictiousness, noun

Word Origin

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

v.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper