on the contrary

American  

phrase

1. the opposite is true; not at all; by no means (often used as an interjection).

2. (used to introduce a statement contradictory or opposing to a previous one).

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on the contrary Idioms  

1. It's the opposite, as in Is his shoulder hurting?—On the contrary, it's all better, or We thought you didn't like opera.—On the contrary, I love it. This phrase, at first put as by or for or in the contrary, dates from the late 1300s; on has been used since the mid-1800s.

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Example Sentences

On the contrary, in some ways, “The Boys” version of present-day America looks more humane than ours.

From Salon • May 24, 2026

"On the contrary, we need a multilateralism that is more deeply rooted in the people and not just in governments, biases or economic lobbying. We need new alignments, new alliances."

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

On the contrary, sometimes it unfolds out of the public eye; self-abnegation can be a reliable marker of character.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

On the contrary, it is entirely to be expected that market prices will swing wildly on either side of fair value — not just for bitcoin, but for every investable asset.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

On the contrary, he should discourage anyone from giving him advice unless he asks for it.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

Related Words

• individually
• negatively
• separately
• variously