contrarian

American  

[kuhn-trair-ee-uhn] / kənˈtrɛər i ən /

noun

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

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contrarian British  

/ kənˈtrɛərɪən /

noun

1. 1. a contrary or obstinate person

   2. ( as modifier )

      a contrarian investor

      contrarian instincts

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Etymology

Origin of contrarian

contr(ary) + -arian

Example Sentences

I have reliably poor instincts about that sort of thing, so this will be a valuable contrarian signal.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

That’s because the mood on Wall Street in March and early April hasn’t been pessimistic enough to trigger a contrarian buy signal.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Kelly said she rejects the idea that Trump didn’t listen to contrarian voices regarding the operation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Ninety-five percent of gold mining stocks are now in a bear market, signaling a classic contrarian trading opportunity.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

But he was a natural contrarian, a born critic, whose fullest energies manifested themselves in the act of doing intellectual isometric exercises against the fixed objects presented by someone else's ideas.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis