run counter to

Idioms  

1. Be in conflict with, oppose, as in Practice often runs counter to theory. This idiom, first recorded in 1843, uses counter in the sense of “in an opposite direction.”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

run counter to

"This aspect needs to be managed. If North Korea acts in a provocative and belligerent manner, it could trigger regional conflict, which could run counter to China's interests," Hong said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026

Then again, the broad stock market has been performing well, for the most part, over the past decade, and this year’s action has run counter to that warning.

From MarketWatch ● May 14, 2026

In the latest stress point, CSU has objected to 16 community college degree proposals, contending that they run counter to state law provisions designed to protect its own university degree offerings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026

But keeping a smaller EV manufacturing footprint seems to run counter to the idea of producing competitively priced, profit-making EVs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2025

It was needful, therefore, to find some explanation of the facts of nature, which would not run counter to the ecclesiastical system of the day.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various

Related Words

• argue
• assail
• attack
• debate
• defy
• deny
• disagree
• dispute
• face
• fight
• prevent
• protest
• resist