CONTRADICTOR Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'contradict' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contradict are contravene , deny , and gainsay . While all these words mean "to refuse to accept as true or valid," contradict implies an open or flat denial. // her account contradicts his

Q: In what contexts can 'contravene' take the place of 'contradict'?

Although the words contravene and contradict have much in common, contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility. // laws that contravene tradition

Q: When could 'deny' be used to replace 'contradict'?

The synonyms deny and contradict are sometimes interchangeable, but deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of. // denied the charges

Q: When would 'gainsay' be a good substitute for 'contradict'?

The words gainsay and contradict can be used in similar contexts, but gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said. // no one can gainsay her claims

contradict

verb

ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt

Definition of contradict next

as in to refute

to make an assertion that is contrary to one made by (another) no matter what I say, you always have to contradict me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deny

to declare not to be true his account contradicted the story that they had gotten earlier

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb contradict differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contradict are contravene, deny, and gainsay. While all these words mean "to refuse to accept as true or valid," contradict implies an open or flat denial.

her account contradicts his

In what contexts can contravene take the place of contradict?

Although the words contravene and contradict have much in common, contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility.

laws that contravene tradition

When could deny be used to replace contradict?

The synonyms deny and contradict are sometimes interchangeable, but deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of.

denied the charges

When would gainsay be a good substitute for contradict?

The words gainsay and contradict can be used in similar contexts, but gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said.

no one can gainsay her claims

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contradict But when the layers contradict each other, slow down and ask more questions. —

Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Specifically, the campaign, which also purportedly contradicted national vaccine recommendations in several EU member states, suggested the evidence for using the CSL vaccine was weaker than for using the Sanofi vaccine. —

Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 June 2026 Hwang rejected Haney’s motion after federal prosecutor Mark Williams countered that expert testimony contradicted Rinderknecht’s defense on multiple occasions. —

Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 25 June 2026 That is why the messaging contradicts itself. —

Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for contradict

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contradict

Verb

Two other retired judges later published their own piece refuting Gilliard’s contention.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
Fortunately, video replay allows people to validate—or refute—a referee’s decision.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 June 2026

Definition of refute

Verb

Those seeking to stop the roundup reject almost all of the federal agencies’ claims, from the size of the herd to the notion that the horses cause ecological damage.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
While state studies have criticized the state’s education governance model, voters have rejected at least four attempts dating back to 1928 to reform the position.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026