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
Despite rumors to the contrary, security has improved in the area around the Apple Street location since the safe parking lot opened there last April, said North County LGBTQ Center founder and Executive Director Max Disposti.
—
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
On the contrary, a living room is a formal room, classically appointed with elegant furnishings—and there’s rarely a television in sight.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
The president has consistently misrepresented his tariffs, claiming despite evidence to the contrary that foreign governments would pay them and that the revenues would be sufficient to pay down the national debt and give taxpayers a dividend check.
—Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
To the contrary, personal rebate checks have already been floated in Congress but haven't moved forward.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the contrary
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Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
On the contrary, a living room is a formal room, classically appointed with elegant furnishings—and there’s rarely a television in sight.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
The president has consistently misrepresented his tariffs, claiming despite evidence to the contrary that foreign governments would pay them and that the revenues would be sufficient to pay down the national debt and give taxpayers a dividend check.
—Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
To the contrary, personal rebate checks have already been floated in Congress but haven't moved forward.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
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 24 Feb. 2026.
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