Synonyms of contradict

contradict

verb

ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt 

1

as in to refute

to make an assertion that is contrary to one made by (another)

no matter what I say, you always have to contradict me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refute
• disagree (with)
• resist
• question
• gainsay
• challenge
• oppose
• rebut
• dispute
• contest
• confute
• fight
• cross

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agree (with)
• concur (with)
• confirm
• verify
• corroborate
• substantiate
• testify (to)
• certify
• witness
• attest
• authenticate
• vouch (for)
• avouch

2

as in to deny

to declare not to be true

his account contradicted the story that they had gotten earlier

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deny
• refute
• reject
• negate
• disavow
• disallow
• disclaim
• disown
• repudiate
• gainsay
• disaffirm
• negative
• disconfirm
• disprove
• traverse
• rebut
• disagree (with)
• challenge
• dispute
• confute

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confirm
• allow
• acknowledge
• admit
• own
• accept
• concede
• adopt
• embrace
• maintain
• claim
• submit
• assert
• affirm
• declare
• avow
• announce
• profess
• verify
• espouse
• validate
• substantiate
• corroborate
• aver
• authenticate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb contradict differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contradict are contravene, deny, and gainsay. While all these words mean "to refuse to accept as true or valid," contradict implies an open or flat denial.

her account contradicts his

In what contexts can contravene take the place of contradict?

Although the words contravene and contradict have much in common, contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility.

laws that contravene tradition

When could deny be used to replace contradict?

The synonyms deny and contradict are sometimes interchangeable, but deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of.

denied the charges

When would gainsay be a good substitute for contradict?

The words gainsay and contradict can be used in similar contexts, but gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said.

no one can gainsay her claims

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contradict

This contradicts a previous report of a transition to the BC8 phase, which density functional theory predicts to be the thermodynamically stable phase of carbon above pressures around 1 TPa. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Ironically, this all contradicts recent reports about the father-son relationship. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 15 Aug. 2026

But only states have the power to put these proposals into practice—and many state policy makers, concerned that the White House is contradicting existing research, aren’t keen to follow its guidance. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

But those charges were soon dropped after cell phone video appeared to contradict what a federal agent claimed happened during that incident. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026