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contrary
[ kon-trer-ee; for 5 also kuhn-trair-ee ]
/ ˈkɒn trɛr i; for 5 also kənˈtrɛər i /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
noun, plural con·trar·ies.
adverb
in opposition; oppositely; counter: to act contrary to one's own principles.
OTHER WORDS FOR contrary
OPPOSITES FOR contrary
4 favorable.
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Idioms about contrary
Origin of contrary
synonym study for contrary
1. See opposite. 4. Contrary, adverse both describe something that opposes. Contrary conveys an idea of something impersonal and objective whose opposition happens to be unfavorable: contrary winds. Adverse suggests something more personally unfriendly or even hostile; it emphasizes the idea of the resulting misfortune to that which is opposed: The judge rendered a decision adverse to the defendant.
OTHER WORDS FROM contrary
con·trar·i·ly [kon-trer-uh-lee, kuhn-trair-], /ˈkɒn trɛr ə li, kənˈtrɛər-/, adverbcon·trar·i·ness, nounqua·si-con·trar·i·ly, adverbqua·si-con·trar·y, adjectiveWords nearby contrary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use contrary in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for contrary
contrary
/ (ˈkɒntrərɪ) /
adjective
noun plural -ries
adverb (usually foll by to)
in an opposite or unexpected waycontrary to usual belief
in conflict (with) or contravention (of)contrary to nature
Derived forms of contrary
contrariness, nounWord Origin for contrary
C14: from Latin contrārius opposite, from contrā against
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with contrary
contrary
see on the contrary; to the contrary.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.