the contrary
noun
: an opposite or different fact, event, or situation
He was sure his sister had made a mistake, but the contrary was true: she was right and he was wrong.
Examples of the contrary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On the contrary, certain dream scenarios may present abject failures, not to be attempted in waking life.
—
Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
Any evidence of actions to the contrary will not be tolerated.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
Any statement to the contrary is wrong, irresponsible, and actively makes Americans sicker.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Any evidence of actions to the contrary will not be tolerated.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the contrary
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
Any evidence of actions to the contrary will not be tolerated.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
Any statement to the contrary is wrong, irresponsible, and actively makes Americans sicker.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Any evidence of actions to the contrary will not be tolerated.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the contrary
Cite this Entry
“The contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20contrary. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share