contradictory

play

noun con·tra·dic·to·ry \ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē\

Definition of contradictory

plural

contradictories

: a proposition (see ¹proposition 2a) so related to another that if either of the two is true the other is false and if either is false the other must be true

Recent Examples of contradictory from the Web

For a school board that has criticized Foose for a lack of transparency, the secret talks over separation and lining up an interim appear contradictory.

— Howard County Times, "Renee Foose is out. Now what?," 3 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contradictory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of contradictory

see contradict

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

contradictory

adjective con·tra·dic·to·ry

Definition of contradictory

: involving, causing, or constituting a contradiction contradictory statements The witnesses gave contradictory accounts of the accident.

contradictorily

play \ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb

contradictoriness

play \ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē-nəs\ noun

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Examples of contradictory in a Sentence

contradictory predictions regarding stock prices that were of no help to investors at all

Recent Examples of contradictory from the Web

The contradictory information reflected the confusion in the immediate aftermath of the attack involving foreigners in one of Egypt’s most popular resorts.

— maggie michael, The Seattle Times, "Egypt attacks: 2 German female tourists, 5 policemen killed," 14 July 2017
Even with this range of collection, analysts must work with incomplete and often contradictory information.

— cindy otis, Teen Vogue, "Intelligence Analysis in the United States, Explained," 13 July 2017
While the White House staff has presented contradictory information on the meeting, the President defended his son to reporters Wednesday.

— jennifer calfas, Time, "President Trump Said He Would Invite Putin to the White House at 'the Right Time'," 13 July 2017
HAMBURG, Germany — Every Western democracy struggles with the contradictory demands of permitting free expression and maintaining public order.

— alison smale, New York Times, "Violence at G-20 Tests the Limits of Expression in Germany," 10 July 2017
About 110 to 120 inmates who were convicted of second-degree murder between 1973 and 1979 and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole -- only to see that option denied to them because of contradictory state laws.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "For a few Louisiana lifers, a new chance at parole," 6 July 2017
One way to account for all this contradictory information is to suggest that another group of humans left Africa sometime between the Neanderthals' departure and our own.

— cathleen o'grady, Ars Technica, "Neanderthal DNA suggests yet another wave of human migration out of Africa," 5 July 2017
The promise of a tour marked the latest contradictory or untrue statement from Wyatt.

— laura mccrystal, Philly.com, "Cosby dismisses as 'propaganda' talk of tour to discuss sex assault claims," 27 June 2017
Noreika argued in his testimony that the various banking regulators too often overlap, stunting economic growth by making duplicative and contradictory requests to lenders.

— jesse hamilton, Bloomberg.com, "Key U.S. Banking Regulators Say They're Ready to Roll Back Rules," 21 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of contradictory

see contradict

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1656

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of contradictory

opposite, contradictory, contrary, antithetical mean being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable. opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict. opposite views on foreign aid contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid. made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition. contrary assessments of the war situation antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition. a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy