contravene

[kon-truh-veen]

verb (used with object)

contravened, contravening 

1. to come or be in conflict with; go or act against; deny or oppose.

   to contravene a statement.

2. to violate, infringe, or transgress.

   to contravene the law.

contravene

/ ˌkɒntrəˈviːn, ˌkɒntrəˈvɛnʃən /

verb

1. to come into conflict with or infringe (rules, laws, etc)

2. to dispute or contradict (a statement, proposition, etc)

Other Word Forms

• contravener noun
• contravention noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contravene¹

1560–70; < Late Latin contrāvenīre, equivalent to Latin contrā against + venīre to come

Word History and Origins

Origin of contravene¹

C16: from Late Latin contrāvenīre, from Latin _contra- + venīre to come

Example Sentences

The family argued that their rights, which requires the State providing education to "respect the right of parents to ensure such education is in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions", had been contravened.

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The individual accused China of holding Turganbay without cause and of buying-up Kazakh land, contravening a law against the sale of agricultural areas to foreign citizens.

Read more on Barron's

“The Proclamation does precisely that: It blatantly contravenes the fees Congress has set for the H-1B program and countermands Congress’s judgment.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The no confidence vote is purely symbolic, with the motion acknowledging in writing that "it does not alter the mayor's statutory powers, or contravene the Local Government Act 2000".

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Experts have also questioned whether the killing of the alleged members of the Tren de Aragua cartel could contravene international law on the use of force.

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Related Words

• breach 
• conflict with www.thesaurus.com
• defy 
• disobey 
• hinder 
• impugn 
• infringe 
• interfere 
• negate 
• overstep 
• repudiate 
• transgress 
• violate