Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

contradict oneself

idiom

Definition of contradict oneself

: to say or do something that is opposite or very different in meaning to something else that one said or did earlier
  • The witness contradicted herself when she insisted she could identify the thief even though she had said that the night was too foggy to see clearly.

Word by Word Definitions

contradict play

  1. : to assert the contrary of : take issue with

  2. : to imply the opposite or a denial of

See the full definition of contradict
oneself play

  1. : a person's self : one's own self

  2. : one's normal, healthy, or sane condition or self

See the full definition of oneself

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up contradict oneself? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games