1
as in contradictory
being as different as possible
the other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischievous
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
a contrary child who wouldn't behave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else
the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrary
Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
But Zelinka Parsons also sees a contrary problem for some people, especially those entering retirement with large nest eggs.
—Russ Wiles, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Adjective
Meanwhile, some students just aren’t accustomed to contrary or controversial ideas and believe that even hearing them is harmful.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
But Zelinka Parsons also sees a contrary problem for some people, especially those entering retirement with large nest eggs.
—Russ Wiles, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Soldiers, to the contrary, have regularly stood by as settlers engage in wanton violence against Palestinians.
—Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrary
Adjective
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These errant policies include the 340B drug discount program, which now has the contradictory impact of raising overall drug prices.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Where exactly is the United States’ economy amid these contradictory signals?—
Laurent Belsie,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Dunk’s mischievous sense of humour was highlighted by poking fun at critics of Hurzeler while attending a Premier League darts event in Brighton in March.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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His voice babbles away throughout the record and his mischievous personality shines.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Lesser powers that find themselves under the dominion of a great power against their wishes can be resentful and rebellious.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
-
In 1978, an ambitious and rebellious young woman, Marina Bulgari, decamped from her family business to branch out with her own jewelry brand.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But for grieving parents, the opposite is true: hearing their child’s name, being invited to share memories, and knowing others remember their child is a powerful source of comfort and healing.—
Friends of Karen,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Amid all this, a notion took hold that being male meant being the opposite of female.—
Joshua Coleman,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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They are seen flinging a pizza box into their bucolic yard, smearing their faces with paint, raising their middle fingers, and saying naughty words.—
Peter Tonguette,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
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Listen to this article There’s nice Torrey Pines and naughty Torrey Pines.—
Bryce Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The president's remarks note a stark difference in recent comments he's made toward the rebel group.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
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This week, rebel assassin Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) was accidentally shot by a Ghorman revolutionary during a routine attack on an Imperial transport ship.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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In Your Lawn Clover isn't a bad plant to have growing amongst the grass.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
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The Celtics never have a bad defender on the court.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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But beneath Pakistan’s drumbeat of defiant declarations as tensions erupt with India, a weary Pakistani public sees war as the last thing the country needs.—
Salman Masood,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Rank-and-file members of the Brotherhood already strike a defiant tone, vowing to continue to organize, protest, and voice criticism of both the Jordanian authorities and the war in Gaza.—
Taylor Luck,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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