contradictory

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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

Definition of contradictory

:involving, causing, or constituting a contradiction

contradictory statements

The witnesses gave contradictory accounts of the accident.

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contradictorily

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

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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

There is a contradictory tweet for almost every occasion.

— alex hindman, Fortune, "The Roots of Trump’s Hypocrisy," 29 Aug. 2017
But like America, Jefferson could be messy and contradictory.

— joshua adams, Longreads, "What Thomas Jefferson Taught Me About Charlottesville and America," 17 Aug. 2017
Bunting believes that the true island mentality is a paradox, comprised of such contradictory impulses.

— mark ellwood, CNT, "How Island Nations Are Bound Together by More Than Water," 14 Aug. 2017
That culminated with Trump's abandonment of the Paris Climate Accords, drenching it in a sea of falsehoods, misrepresentations, and contradictory claims.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "President Trump Should Be Afraid of This Climate Change Report," 8 Aug. 2017
Wheeler has made contradictory statements regarding the case and is simultaneously filing a racial discrimination lawsuit against the network, represented by a lawyer who has other lawsuits against Fox.

— time, Time, "Lawsuit: Fox News Coordinated With White House on False Story," 1 Aug. 2017
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

Origin and Etymology of contradictory

see contradict

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1656

See Words from the same year

contradictory Synonyms

Synonyms

antipodal, antipodean, antithetical, opposite, contrary, diametric (or diametrical), polar

Antonyms

noncontradictory

Related Words

adverse, negative, unfavorable; antagonistic, antipathetic, counter, cross, hostile; converse, inverse, obverse, reverse; alien, disparate, dissimilar, divergent, unalike, unlike

Near Antonyms

alike, analogous, like, similar; equivalent, identical, same; synonymous

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

CONTRADICTORY Defined for English Language Learners

contradictory

adjective

Definition of contradictory for English Language Learners

: involving or having information that disagrees with other information : containing a contradiction

CONTRADICTORY Defined for Kids

contradictory

play

adjective con·tra·dic·to·ry \ ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-tə-rē \

Definition of contradictory for Students

:involving, causing, or being the opposite of or much different from something else

contradictory reports

Learn More about contradictory

See words that rhyme with contradictory Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contradictory Spanish Central: Translation of contradictory Nglish: Translation of contradictory for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of contradictory for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contradictory

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Origin and Etymology of contradictory

contradictory

Definition of contradictory

contradictorily

contradictoriness

Examples of contradictory in a Sentence

Recent Examples of contradictory from the Web

Origin and Etymology of contradictory

contradictory Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of contradictory

CONTRADICTORY Defined for English Language Learners

contradictory

Definition of contradictory for English Language Learners

CONTRADICTORY Defined for Kids

contradictory

Definition of contradictory for Students

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