Learn English free online - how to pronounce word in English - English Learning Online- www.pronounceword.com

Dictionary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z




contrary



con·trary [ ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē]



contrary   
adverb
[ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē]

Definition of contrary (Entry 3 of 3)

: contrariwise, contrarily

contrary   
noun
[ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē]
plural contraries

Definition of contrary

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a fact or condition incompatible with another : opposite —usually used with the
2 : one of a pair of opposites
3a : a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 2a) so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true — compare subcontrary
b : either of two terms (such as good and evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject
by contraries
obsolete : in a manner opposite to what is logical or expected
on the contrary
: just the opposite
//The test will not be easy; on the contrary, it will be extremely difficult.
to the contrary
1 : on the contrary
2 : notwithstanding

contrary   
adjective

Definition of contrary (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : being so different as to be at opposite extremes : opposite
//come to the contrary conclusion went off in contrary directions
also : being opposite to or in conflict with each other
//contrary viewpoints
2 : being not in conformity with what is usual or expected
//actions contrary to company policy contrary evidence
3 : unfavorable —used of wind or weather
4 : temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice


Other Words from contrary

Adjective

contrarily \ ˈkän-​ˌtrer-​ə-​lē , kən-​ˈtrer-​ \ adverb
contrariness \ ˈkän-​ˌtrer-​ē-​nəs , kən-​ˈtrer-​ \ noun


Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Antonyms:adjective


Choose the Right Synonym for dainty

Adjective

contrary, perverse, restive, balky, wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control. contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.
// a contrary child perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.
// a perverse, intractable critic restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.
// tired soldiers growing restive balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.
// a balky witness wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.
// a school for wayward youths

synonyms see in addition opposite



Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
//Very much to the contrary, Warren’s performance, which sometimes veers happily into an outright concert, is a two-and-a-half-hour-long hosanna.
— Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, "The Legend of Tina Turner," 11 Nov. 2019
//That may be why so many climate sceptics manage to cling to their beliefs in the teeth of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
— The Economist, "You really can fool some of the people, all of the time," 2 Nov. 2019
//Live-entertainment giants AEG Presents and Live Nation both recently disavowed any plans to use facial recognition at music festivals, despite earlier indications to the contrary.
— Matt O’brien, Houston Chronicle, "Concert promoters turn away from facial recognition tech," 1 Nov. 2019
//In Pakistan, poor passengers often bring their own small gas stoves on the trains to cook their meals, despite rules to the contrary, according to Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
— BostonGlobe.com, "Fire on moving train kills 71 passengers in central Pakistan - The Boston Globe," 31 Oct. 2019
//Poor passengers often bring their own small gas stoves on the trains to cook their meals, despite rules to the contrary, according to Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
— Asim Tanveer, sun-sentinel.com, "Fire on moving train kills 65 passengers in central Pakistan," 31 Oct. 2019
//In Pakistan, poor passengers often bring their own small gas stoves on the trains to cook their meals, despite rules to the contrary, according to Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
— Asim Tanveer, Anchorage Daily News, "Gas stove fire on moving train kills 71 passengers in central Pakistan," 31 Oct. 2019
//But counting on Henson is dicey, especially with a stack of evidence to the contrary.
— Chris Fedor, cleveland, "John Henson continues to tease Cleveland Cavaliers with potential, dampen hopes with injuries," 18 Oct. 2019
//To the contrary, many of the network's loyal viewers detested Smith for the very same reasons that others cheered for his solid reporting.
— Brian Stelter, CNN, "Why Shep Smith finally walked out of Fox News for good," 11 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
//The Turkish state and army are beyond reproach; suggestions to the contrary border on treason.
— The Economist, "How genocide denial warps Turkish politics," 7 Nov. 2019
//This deception has surfaced repeatedly, in the face of contrary words from his military people and sometimes from his own statements acknowledging that bringing the soldiers back doesn't mean right now, or on any schedule that he's disclosed.
— Hope Yen And Calvin Woodward, chicagotribune.com, "The president said a lot of things this week that aren’t true. Here are some of them.," 26 Oct. 2019
//Edison’s father, stubborn, contrary and fiercely libertarian, had bounced between the United States and Canada to elude authorities from both countries who thought him obsessively disloyal.
— David Oshinsky, New York Times, "An Inventor’s Life That Was Incandescent Any Way You Look at It," 22 Oct. 2019
//In the new collection, Olive is still a contrary woman, blunt and condescending.
— San Diego Union-Tribune, "New stories of an aging Olive in ‘Olive, Again’," 14 Oct. 2019
//Giuliani, however, had contrary thoughts—to his mind, Romania had been too effective in cleaning up the corruption corroding its public services.
— Casey Michel, The New Republic, "Rudy Giuliani’s Year of Living Dangerously," 26 Sep. 2019
//In addition to the House Science Committee’s investigation, other groups are initiating probes into NOAA’s decision back Trump’s claim that Alabama was at risk from Hurricane Dorian, despite contrary forecasts from its own scientists.
— BostonGlobe.com, "WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump directed his staff to order the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to prepare a statement that Hurricane Dorian posed a significant threat to Alabama as of Sept. 1, in contrast to what the agency’s forecasters were predicting at the time.," 12 Sep. 2019
//Burns discovered many enduring, sometimes contrary truisms among the country music community, which displays a more prominent sense of family than other musical genres.
— Scott Huver, CNN, "Ken Burns on the love and loss of 'Country Music'," 13 Sep. 2019
//Barring a contrary ruling from the full Second Circuit or emergency intervention by the Supreme Court, the case will soon move forward—and Mr Trump’s finances and potential conflicts of interest could be thrust into the public spotlight.
— S.m. | New York, The Economist, "An appeals court revives an emoluments-clause lawsuit against Donald Trump," 16 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb
//The suspect was not wearing an explosives-laden belt, Van der Sypt said, contrary to an initial eyewitness account from a railway official.
— Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, "Suspect in foiled Brussels attack was 36-year-old Moroccan, authorities say," 21 June 2017


First Known Use of contrary

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above



History and Etymology for contrary

Noun, Adjective, and Adverb

Middle English contrarie, from Anglo-French contraire, contrairie, from Medieval Latin contrarius, from Latin, adjective, opposite, adverse, from contra opposite



Dictionary Entries near contrary

contrariwise

contrarotating propeller

contrarotation

contrary

contrary-minded

contrary motion

contrary terms



Phrases Related to contrary

appearances to the contrary

contrary to expectations

contrary to popular belief

contrary to popular opinion

the contrary



More Synonyms and Antonyms ofcontrary

Synonyms & Antonyms of contrary

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 being as different as possible
  • the other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion

Synonyms for contrary

Words Related to contrary

Near Antonyms for contrary

Antonyms for contrary

2 engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
  • a contrary child who wouldn't behave

Synonyms for contrary

Words Related to contrary

Near Antonyms for contrary

Antonyms for contrary

3 given to resisting authority or another's control
  • the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination

Synonyms for contrary

Words Related to contrary

Near Antonyms for contrary

Antonyms for contrary

contrary

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of contrary (Entry 2 of 2)

something that is as different as possible from something else
  • the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love

Synonyms for contrary

Words Related to contrary

Near Antonyms for contrary



More Definitions forcontrary

contrary

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of contrary

: exactly opposite to something else : entirely different from something else
: against or opposed to something
: not favorable or helpful

contrary

noun
con·​trary | \ ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē \
plural contraries

Kids Definition of contrary

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: something opposite
//… we never see the true state of our condition till it is illustrated to us by its contraries …— Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
on the contrary
: just the opposite : no
//You look tired. On the contrary, I'm wide awake.

contrary

adjective
con·​trary | \ ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē, 4 is often kən-ˈtrer-ē\

Kids Definition of contrary (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : exactly opposite
//Their opinion is contrary to mine.
2 : being against what is usual or expected
//Her actions are contrary to school policy.
3 : not favorable
//contrary weather
4 : unwilling to accept control or advice
//a contrary child