contrary

Study(12)

UK /ˈkɒntɹəɹi/ US /ˈkɑntɹɛɹi/

verb 5adj 3noun 3adv 1

Collocations

(adj.)

VERBS

be, run, seem

His opinion on the matter seemed contrary to what he had said the week before.

ADV

completely, directly, entirely, quite, totally

His opinion on the matter was entirely contrary to what the company had publicly announced.

clearly

PREP

Despite what many people believe, contrary to popular opinion, cats actually enjoy getting wet sometimes.

PHRASES

contrary to expectations

Contrary to expectations, the new restaurant became very popular within just a few months.

contrary to popular belief

Many people think cats are independent, but contrary to popular belief, they actually enjoy human company.

Definitions

adj

Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.

contrary winds

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me[…]

Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.

Galileo [Galilei]'s zeal for his opinions soon led him again to bring the question under the notice of the Pope, and the result was a declaration of the Inquisition that the doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred scripture.

Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.

a contrary disposition; a contrary child

adv

Contrarily

I never act contrary to my principles.

noun

The opposite.

No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave.

One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true, though they may both be false.

If two universals differ in quality, they are contraries; as, every vine is a tree; no vine is a tree. These can never be both true together; but they may be both false.

A type of loaded die.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — a relation of direct opposition

adjective — in an opposing direction

adverse

adjective — resistant to guidance or discipline

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

contrary winds

Wiktionary

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me[…]

Wiktionary

We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way.

Wiktionary

I never act contrary to my principles.

Wiktionary

No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave.

Wiktionary

If two universals differ in quality, they are contraries; as, every vine is a tree; no vine is a tree. These can never be both true together; but they may be both false.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, contrary is marked as obsolete, historical. Watch for register when choosing this word.

Your note

not saved

0 chars