contra

1 of 3

preposition

con·​tra ˈkän-trə How to pronounce contra (audio)
1
: against
used chiefly in the phrase pro and contra
2
: in opposition or contrast to

contra

2 of 3

noun

con·​tra ˈkän-trə How to pronounce contra (audio)
ˈkōn-,
-ˌträ How to pronounce contra (audio)
: a member of a guerrilla group opposed to the Sandinista government in Nicaragua in the 1980s

contra-

3 of 3

prefix

1
: against : contrary : contrasting
contradistinction
2
: pitched below normal bass
contrabassoon

Examples of contra in a Sentence

Preposition a roundup of editorials pro and contra the proposed constitutional amendment
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
What’s important is that contra what Powell and Sternberg contend, the Fed can’t increase or shrink credit on their best day. John Tamny, Forbes, 7 May 2023 The Charlotte contra-dance community was the best. Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2021 Use it to guide efficient shopping or relish in your contra-zeitgeist comforts. David Yanofsky, Quartz, 10 Apr. 2020 For unnatural acts: for broadcasting old seed, tired seed, seed that does not quicken, contra naturam. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2020 A year later Cardinal Obando traveled to Washington, condemned the Sandinistas and spoke well of the contras. Stephen Kinzer, New York Times, 3 June 2018 Una hermosa mujer, 20 años después de presenciar el asesinato de su madre, busca venganza contra el hombre que la mató. Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2019 That’s why these health conditions are called contraindications—the vaccine is indicated for the safety of all children, but a child’s condition means their parents should go against that recommendation (contra). Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 26 Aug. 2019 Free general admission and live music from Ten Dollar Bet, who plays contras, rags, polkas, swing and Old World classics. Anchorage Daily News, 4 July 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contra.' 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

Preposition

Middle English, borrowed from Latin contrā "opposite, facing, against" — more at contra-

Noun

borrowed from American Spanish, short for contrarrevolucionario "counterrevolutionary"

Prefix

borrowed from Latin contrā-, prefixal use of contrā, adverb and preposition, "opposite, facing, against," going back to *com-ter-ād, feminine ablative singular of *com-ter-os, presumably "the other of a pair facing each other, the one opposite," from com- com- + -ter-, suffix marking contrast and differentiation

Note: Latin contrā belongs to a set of spatial adverbs ending in -rā or -trā, as suprā "at a higher position, above," infrā "at a lower position, below," extrā "on the outside, beyond," ultrā "on the far side, farther off." Unlike these forms, however, contrā lacks a corresponding comparative adjective (superior, inferior, exterior, ulterior) or positive adjective (superus "situated above," inferus "situated below").

First Known Use

Preposition

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contra was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near contra

Cite this Entry

“Contra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contra. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

contra-

prefix
1
: against : contrary : contrasting
2
: pitched below normal bass
contrabassoon
Etymology

Prefix

from Latin contra "against, opposite"

Legal Definition

contra

1 of 2 preposition
con·​tra ˈkän-trə How to pronounce contra (audio)
: in opposition or contrast to

contra

2 of 2 adjective
: placed or set in opposition
contra parties
Etymology

Preposition

Latin

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