contrary Definition
- 1opposite in nature, direction, or meaning
- 2perversely inclined to disagree or to do the opposite of what is expected or desired
Using contrary: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "contrary" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Contrary to popular belief, not all cats hate water.
Example
His actions were contrary to his words.
Example
The new evidence is contrary to the previous findings.
Example
Contrary to expectations, the team lost the game.
contrary Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for contrary
- antithetical
- conflicting
- contradictory
- opposite
- reverse
Antonyms for contrary
- agreeable
- concordant
- similar
Idioms Using contrary
go contrary to
be in opposition to or conflict with
Example
His actions went contrary to his promises.
fly in the face of
be in direct opposition to or defiance of
Example
Her decision to quit her job and travel the world flew in the face of her parents' expectations.
run contrary to
be in opposition to or conflict with
Example
His behavior runs contrary to his professed beliefs.
Phrases with contrary
on the contrary
used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said
Example
I thought the movie was terrible. On the contrary, I found it quite enjoyable.
to the contrary
in opposition to what has been stated or what is expected
Example
She believed that he was guilty, but the evidence proved to the contrary.
contrary to the fact
not in accordance with the truth or reality
Example
He claimed that he had never met her, but the evidence showed that, contrary to the fact, they had been seen together several times.
Origins of contrary
from Latin 'contrarius', meaning 'opposite'
Summary: contrary in Brief
The term 'contrary' [ˈkɒntrəri] refers to something that is opposite in nature, direction, or meaning, often perversely inclined to disagree or do the opposite of what is expected or desired. It can be used in phrases like 'on the contrary,' which introduces a contrasting statement, and idioms like 'fly in the face of,' which means to be in direct opposition to. Examples include 'Contrary to popular belief, not all cats hate water.' and 'His actions were contrary to his words.'
