contradictory

1 of 2

adjective

con·​tra·​dic·​to·​ry ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce contradictory (audio)
: involving, causing, or constituting a contradiction
contradictory statements
The witnesses gave contradictory accounts of the accident.
contradictorily adverb
contradictoriness noun

contradictory

2 of 2

noun

con·​tra·​dic·​to·​ry
plural contradictories
: 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
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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
Aid workers and government officials say a pattern has emerged of Israeli obstruction, where Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the agency that controls access to Gaza, has imposed arbitrary and contradictory criteria on relief entering the enclave. Helen Regan, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 No performer could make this rhetoric seem realistic, but in quieter moments the actor hints at touchingly contradictory truths. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Understanding the current state of Russian combat power means processing contradictory information and answering a number of complex questions. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 In Louis’ writing, a single memory can yield multiple interpretations, because most important moments in life are accompanied by a range of (often contradictory) feelings. Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 29 Feb. 2024 There were constant omissions and contradictory accounts. Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 So know that acceptance can be contradictory and confusing. Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 The Houthi ideology and political platform is vague and contradictory, according to Gregory Johnsen, a fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington who studied and lived in Yemen for several years. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2024 These responses might seem confusing or contradictory, but atheism and spirituality aren’t necessarily at odds. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
Noun
For six months, experts have given the American public contradictory and weaponized election-year directives on masks, social distancing, lockdowns, school closures, and workplace policies. Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, 24 Sep. 2020 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, 3 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contradictory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French contraditoire, contradictoire, borrowed from Late Latin contrādictōrius, from Latin contrādic-, variant stem of contrādīcere "to speak against, object to" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor — more at contradict

Noun

earlier, "contradictory proposition, inconsistency," going back to Middle English contradictorie, borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French contradictoire, borrowed from Late Latin contrādictōria, noun derivative from feminine of contrādictōrius contradictory entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contradictory was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near contradictory

Cite this Entry

“Contradictory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradictory. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

contradictory

adjective
con·​tra·​dic·​to·​ry
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē
: involving, causing, or being a contradiction
contradictory statements
contradictoriness
-t(ə-)rē-nəs
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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