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

Other Words from contradictory Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about contradictory

Keep scrolling for more

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 This stand-alone work reaches a new level of moral complexity and brings into stark relief the often contradictory nature of spycraft. — Tom Nolan, WSJ, "Mysteries: Better Dying Through Chemistry," 7 Feb. 2020 In coupling a desire to be the best with the hard work to back this goal up, adds Lewis, Bryant became a symbol of the seemingly contradictory phenomena of greediness, determination and excellence. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, "Smithsonian Historians Reflect on Kobe Bryant’s Legacy as His Portrait Goes on View," 28 Jan. 2020 Child welfare agencies and law enforcement officials often rely on their reports as the sole basis for removing children and filing criminal charges, sometimes in spite of contradictory opinions from other medical specialists. — NBC News, "Wisconsin hospital pledges 'honest and transparent' probe of its handling of child abuse cases," 28 Jan. 2020 Black leaders had contradictory, competing visions, which invited ambivalence, apathy, and defeatism across the board, black and white. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, "To the 1619 Project: Use More Art, Less Fake History," 25 Jan. 2020 The aim is, of course, to inspire so much exhaustion that, when faced with expert views, people simply dismiss them as part of the same flurry of contradictory claims. — Annette Lin, The New Republic, "Why Climate Denial Survives While Australia Burns," 13 Jan. 2020 For every article about the wonders of CBD, there’s a contradictory one discussing the crazy amounts of fake CBD in circulation. — Maria Loreto, chicagotribune.com, "5 things you should look for when reading a CBD label," 12 Dec. 2019 And somehow these contradictory elements are held in balance, as if Dave Grohl were writing hit songs for Meshuggah. — The Atlantic, "The 18 Best Albums of 2019," 10 Dec. 2019 The day's festivities in London produced a number of bafflingly contradictory claims. — Stephen Collinson, CNN, "The new trend at NATO could mean trouble for Trump," 3 Dec. 2019 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.