Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Scientist Alexandra, 32, refuses to download Max "out of contrariness" to its heavy-handed promotion.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

More character actor than leading man, he could be relied upon to inject a feisty, fiery machismo and a cantankerous contrariness into the most mainstream Hollywood offering.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

It is deaf to irony, metaphor, satire, allegory, provocation, ambiguity, contrariness.

From Salon • Sep. 3, 2022

If we see neighbors doing things in a certain way, we might reject that behavior and do things differently out of sheer contrariness.

From Scientific American • Feb. 28, 2022

My contrariness kept Char laughing, and his goodness kept me in love.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine