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

LeVota’s candidacy for county executive directly contradicts one of his most frequent and emphatic campaign promises leading up to his interim tenure. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026

Her filing says the renaming violates federal statutes, breaches the board’s fiduciary duties and contradicts the trust Congress created after Kennedy’s assassination. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026

As former Meta executive Brian Boland told CNBC, the company appeared to portray a public image that contradicted what its internal research was showing. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026

Investigations by the Georgia secretary of state and independent reviews contradict the core allegations of the affidavit, which relies on witnesses who lack credibility and have biases that weren't disclosed to the magistrate judge, Lowell argued. —CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026