appearances to the contrary
idiom
: even though (something) does not appear to be so
Appearances to the contrary, her company is very successful.
Examples of appearances to the contrary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The same strategic doubt applies to painting per se—the medium that was paramount for Bochner, appearances to the contrary notwithstanding.
—
Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
But appearances to the contrary, Seung is an expert on the web of neurons that make up the brain.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2012
Willer said their research indicated that users are largely not fond of toxic tweets, despite appearances to the contrary.
—Melanie Masonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2022
Temur maintained that many of these texts had nothing to do with shielding money and assets from his mother, outward appearances to the contrary.
—New York Times, 5 Jan. 2021
Climate change, despite appearances to the contrary, was something of a loser in the 2020 election.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner, 3 Dec. 2020
Despite appearances to the contrary, the Cowboys as currently constituted aren’t really bad.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 13 Nov. 2020
Almereyda—himself an artist whose work has, by and large, eluded mainstream success—understands that the relationship between capital and genius is intrinsically adversarial despite any appearances to the contrary.
—John Semley, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2020
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Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
But appearances to the contrary, Seung is an expert on the web of neurons that make up the brain.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2012
Willer said their research indicated that users are largely not fond of toxic tweets, despite appearances to the contrary.
—Melanie Masonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2022
Temur maintained that many of these texts had nothing to do with shielding money and assets from his mother, outward appearances to the contrary.
—New York Times, 5 Jan. 2021
Climate change, despite appearances to the contrary, was something of a loser in the 2020 election.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner, 3 Dec. 2020
Despite appearances to the contrary, the Cowboys as currently constituted aren’t really bad.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 13 Nov. 2020
Almereyda—himself an artist whose work has, by and large, eluded mainstream success—understands that the relationship between capital and genius is intrinsically adversarial despite any appearances to the contrary.
—John Semley, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Appearances to the contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appearances%20to%20the%20contrary. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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