contradictory

[kon-truh-dik-tuh-ree]

adjective

1. asserting the contrary or opposite; contradicting; inconsistent; logically opposite.

   contradictory statements.

   Synonyms: paradoxical, irreconcilable

2. tending or inclined to contradict.

noun

plural

contradictories 

1. Logic.,  a proposition so related to a second that it is impossible for both to be true or both to be false.

contradictory

/ ˌkɒntrəˈdɪktərɪ /

adjective

1. inconsistent; incompatible

2. given to argument and contention

   a contradictory person

3. logic (of a pair of statements) unable both to be true or both to be false under the same circumstances Compare contrary subcontrary

noun

1. logic a statement that cannot be true when a given statement is true or false when it is false

Other Word Forms

• contradictorily adverb
• contradictoriness noun
• intercontradictory adjective
• noncontradictory adjective
• uncontradictory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contradictory¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin contrādictōrius; equivalent to contradict + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

Roughly 20 children testified in the abuse case, offering sometimes contradictory accounts of what happened.

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We found that most people have contradictory feelings: They want to be able to use social media platforms themselves, but they would also be happy if those platforms were eliminated from their community.

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As ever in politics two things that might appear to be contradictory are in fact, both true.

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He said they gave him instructions to move that were contradictory.

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His insight doesn’t come from trying to explain or simplify complex experiences but from allowing them to be as layered and contradictory as they truly are.

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Related Words

• antithetical 
• conflicting 
• contrary 
• incompatible 
• inconsistent 
• paradoxical