contradictions

noun

plural of contradiction
1
as in paradoxes
someone or something with qualities or features that seem to conflict with one another a loving father as well as a ruthless killer, the gangster is a living contradiction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in denials
a refusal to confirm the truth of a statement the actress's contradiction of the marriage rumor caused quite a stir

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contradictions The secret heart of the story is this man’s attempt to endure these contradictions or the inner noise of such a life. — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026 Pattinson plays him like a man whose voice and demeanor could change at will, an ambitious morass of contradictions. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026 The movie centers itself on Pete Townshend’s contradictions, his growing pains, his turmoil, and his complexity as a human being and rock artist. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 The film is instead, in its strange and sometimes plodding manner, a call to simply sit and think about the contradictions of human character. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026 Like many things about the business of making movies in America, the Oscars are full of contradictions. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 These domestic policy contradictions will follow officials into this week's G20 meeting. — CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 The Australian singer-songwriter seeks to strike a balance between life’s contradictions, desires and messes through raw lyrics, deceptively relaxed jangle rock and woozy folk-pop. — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Clinicians would need to reconcile those contradictions to figure out the best treatment for their patients. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contradictions
  1. paradoxes
  2. denials
  3. rejections
Noun
  • Among the paradoxes inherent in our unique health care system is the observation that American health care is the best in the world, and also the most complicated and costly.
    — Matt Soper, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The argument about finances produced one of the hearing’s central paradoxes.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of paradoxes
Noun
  • After the shooting, the internet lit up with macabre stories of death, disfigurement, and disability wrought by claim denials—DJs in clubs even spun dance music with Luigi’s face flashing behind them.
    — Elizabeth Nicholas, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This represents substantial friction and major revenue loss for practices, but denials are often only the final and most visible symptom of an earlier intelligence failure.
    — Terry Goertz, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of denials
Noun
  • With incomings, Newcastle’s summer started with a whimper and ended with a bang, a slow-burn of early rejections from high-profile targets which did little to ease a sense of disquiet among supporters.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Garner missed out on a role on The West Wing, Clooney lost a movie role to his best friend Brad Pitt and one of Damon’s biggest rejections ultimately inspired him to write Good Will Hunting.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of rejections

Browse Nearby Words

contradiction
contradictions
contradictoriness
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Cite this Entry

“Contradictions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contradictions. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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