CONTRADICT Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contradict

verb

ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt

Definition of contradict next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deny

to declare not to be true his account contradicted the story that they had gotten earlier

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Recent Examples of contradict Shortly after, Erika Christakis, associate head of one of Yale’s residential colleges, contradicted the email. —

Ingrid A. Nelson, The Conversation, 29 May 2026 Minnesota prosecutors instead said surveillance footage, witness statements and physical evidence contradicted claims made by Castro. —

Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 May 2026 During Popov’s cross-examination, which lasted most of the day Wednesday, Jafari used video of the stabbing, viewing the incident from multiple angles, to repeatedly contradict Popov’s testimony. —

John Annese, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026 The president obfuscates or lies; the press contradicts him; the Pentagon’s own investigators find against him; senators of both parties demand answers; and the polls turn against the war. —

Bobby Ghosh, Time, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for contradict

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contradict

Verb

Bohm’s parents have refuted those claims and the two sides are still attempting to determine where the court battle will proceed.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
This argument, too, has been there since the outset, when there was no data yet to refute it.

— Diana Gitig, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2026