contradict

verb

con·​tra·​dict ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt 

contradicted; contradicting; contradicts

transitive verb

1

: to assert the contrary of : take issue with

contradict a rumor

She contradicted her brother's account of what happened.

2

: to imply the opposite or a denial of

Your actions contradict your words.

The evidence contradicts his testimony.

contradictable

ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-tə-bəl 

adjective

contradictor

ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• disagree (with)
• gainsay

Choose the Right Synonym for contradict

deny, gainsay, contradict, contravene mean to refuse to accept as true or valid.

deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of.

denied the charges

gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said.

no one can gainsay her claims

contradict implies an open or flat denial.

her account contradicts his

contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility.

laws that contravene tradition

Examples of contradict in a Sentence

He contradicted the charges of his critics.

My sister doesn't like being contradicted.

The mayor's actions in office contradicted the promises he made during the campaign.

Recent Examples on the Web

Coyle’s assertion about what’s making life worse (inequality) contradicts the part about what makes life better. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

But Francis also contradicted himself and split some very specific hairs regarding LGBTQ+ rights. —Samantha Riedel, Them., 21 Apr. 2025

The zoning commission’s recommendations contradicted the map 29% of the time. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025

But an unidentified friend of hers had contradicted that account in an interview with a detective, saying Evans called it a consensual act in exchange for the promise of acting work. —Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin contrādictus, past participle of contrādīcere, contrā dīcere "to speak against, object to, oppose, assert the contrary," from contrā contra- + dīcere "to talk, speak, say" — more at diction

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing contradict

• contradict oneself

Rhymes for contradict

• derelict
• interdict
• addict
• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• inflict
• predict
• relict

Kids Definition

contradict

verb

con·​tra·​dict ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt 

1

: to say the opposite of what someone else has said : deny the truth of

2

: to be opposed or contrary to : go against

your actions contradict your words

contradictor

-ˈdik-tər 

noun