contradiction

American  

[kon-truh-dik-shuhn] / ˌkɒn trəˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

contradictions plural

1. the act of contradicting; gainsaying or opposition.

2. assertion of the contrary or opposite; denial.

3. a statement or proposition that contradicts or denies another or itself and is logically incongruous.

4. direct opposition between things compared; inconsistency.

5. a contradictory act, fact, etc.

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contradiction British  

/ ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən /

noun

1. the act of going against; opposition; denial

2. a declaration of the opposite or contrary

3. a statement that is at variance with itself (often in the phrase a contradiction in terms )

4. conflict or inconsistency, as between events, qualities, etc

5. a person or thing containing conflicting qualities

6. logic a statement that is false under all circumstances; necessary falsehood

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• intercontradiction
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• contradictions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of contradiction

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English contradiccioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin contrādictiōn-, stem of contrādictiō “counterargument, objection, reply”; equivalent to contradict + -ion

Explanation

A contradiction is a situation or ideas in opposition to one another. Declaring publicly that you are an environmentalist but never remembering to take out the recycling is an example of a contradiction. A "contradiction in terms" is a common phrase used to describe a statement that contains opposing ideas. Examples of a contradiction in terms include, "the gentle torturer," "the towering midget," or "a snowy summer's day." A person can also express a contradiction, like the person who professes atheism, yet goes to church every Sunday.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

contradiction contradictions

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has acknowledged the contradiction, arguing that the value of Hormuz lies in increasing the volume of shipping through it rather than reducing it.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

"There are many unstable and uncertain external factors, and the domestic contradiction of strong supply and weak demand is prominent. The foundation for the economy to improve still needs to be consolidated," it added.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

Back to the recluse thing: There’s a funny contradiction in that you’re also the heartthrob in Radiohead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Advocates also point to what they see as a contradiction in the campaign.

From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026

The contradiction between the ideals he had fought for and the enslavement of people like Billy Lee was now obvious.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

The tensions of keeping the industry of Hollywood at arm’s length while warmly embracing all the contradictions of the city of Los Angeles have long animated him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

There are some contradictions in for example, full tax and spend devolution for every region.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Sitting judges arguably have the best informed perspective on this Supreme Court: They must apply its jurisprudence, reconcile its contradictions, and confront the real-world effects of its rulings.

From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2026

Harris’ address at the site of the Declaration’s signing does not shy away from America’s contradictions.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

Despite all the resulting conflicts and contradictions, which remain with us still, it was the idea of discovery that made the new science, and the new set of intellectual values that underpinned it, possible.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• conflict
• difference
• disagreement
• discrepancy
• dispute
• inconsistency