contradictory

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

Definition of contradictory

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

contradictory

noun

con·tra·dic·to·ry

plural contradictories

Definition of contradictory (Entry 2 of 2)

: a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 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

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Choose the Right Synonym for contradictory

Adjective

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

Examples of contradictory in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective However, the Moscow government issued a contradictory statement later that day, saying there had been, rather, a 7 percent drop in cases in January. — NBC News, "Coronavirus: Russia's low infection numbers viewed skeptically," 17 Mar. 2020 Levi said, noting the Trump administration’s often contradictory statements about the seriousness of the coronavirus threat. — Los Angeles Times, "Coronavirus will hit the health system hard, and not all states are prepared," 12 Mar. 2020 The vice president’s first move appeared to be aimed at preventing the kind of contradictory statements from White House officials and top government health officials that have plagued the administration’s response. — Maggie Haberman, BostonGlobe.com, "Pence will control all coronavirus messaging from health officials," 27 Feb. 2020 In a lengthy interview, Munoz offered a series of contradictory statements about the scandal and her troubled personal history. — Jeff Ernsthausen, ProPublica, "The FBI Is Investigating Massive Embezzlement of Border Patrol Union Funds," 24 Feb. 2020 Now, after two years of scant details and a myriad of contradictory statements, Popular Mechanics is ripping open the U.S. government’s massive UFO problem. — Tim Mcmillan, Popular Mechanics, "Inside the Pentagon's Secret UFO Program," 14 Feb. 2020 Iran has offered a series of contradictory statements about Levinson in the time since. — sun-sentinel.com, "Iran says case open on ex-FBI agent from South Florida missing during CIA mission," 9 Nov. 2019 And: Are the following two words similar, contradictory, or not related?Enhance and entrance. — Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star, "Inside the quirky IQ test at the NFL Combine: Manning scored lower than Luck; Colin Kaepernick beat them both," 27 Feb. 2020 Bryant was complex and contradictory, alternately aloof and charming, multilingual and singularly competitive. — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "How will Kobe Bryant be remembered? As greatness with an edge," 26 Jan. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun 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.