contrarian

[kuh n-trair-ee-uh n]

See more synonyms for contrarian on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who takes an opposing view, especially one who rejects the majority opinion, as in economic matters.

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Origin of contrarian

contr(ary) + -arian

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

Related Words for contrarian

antagonist, debater, adversary, opponent

Examples from the Web for contrarian

Contemporary Examples of contrarian

Instead of decorating every face on the street, Google Glass hit a contrarian rip tide.
You Were Wrong About Miley & Bitcoin: 2014’s Failed Predictions
Nina Strochlic
December 31, 2014
Two male journalists, one conservative and one contrarian, were to debate abortion at Oxford University earlier this week.
Feminism Has Gone Too Far
Lizzie Crocker
November 21, 2014
Sen. Rand Paul, however, resisted gushing--in keeping with his contrarian brand.
Kissy-Face The Nation: Washington’s Power Elite Smooch Bob Schieffer
Lloyd Grove
November 18, 2014
Taylor also said the contrarian nature of the study will likely bring added attention to a field still very much being charted.
Playing Violent Video Games Makes You a Better Person, Study Says
Kevin Zawacki
July 4, 2014
Sometimes Christopher is called a “contrarian,” but I never thought that label was right.
My Friend and Mentor, Christopher Hitchens
Eli Lake
December 16, 2013

British Dictionary definitions for contrarian

contrarian

noun

1. a contrary or obstinate person
2. (as modifier)a contrarian investor; contrarian instincts

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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 contrarian

n.

1963, from contrary + -ian.

To be in opposition is not to be a nihilist. And there is no decent or charted way of making a living at it. It is something you are, and not something you do. [Christopher Hitchens, "Letters to a Young Contrarian," 2001]

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper