Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective contradictory differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contradictory are antithetical, contrary, and opposite. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

When can antithetical be used instead of contradictory?

The synonyms antithetical and contradictory are sometimes interchangeable, but antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

When is it sensible to use contrary instead of contradictory?

While the synonyms contrary and contradictory are close in meaning, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

Where would opposite be a reasonable alternative to contradictory?

The meanings of opposite and contradictory largely overlap; however, opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

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 contradictory At least a half-dozen people described an emotional seesaw they were put through by weeks of contradictory UPS tracking updates about their shipments. Kayla Steinberg, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025 That was followed shortly by the BMW X6, which represented itself as the first four-door coupe SUV — an idea as contradictory as non-alcoholic vodka. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025 While a green light from the 3-point line and making the extra pass might seem like contradictory ideas, Green said this was the obvious basketball play. Eric Nehm, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Hegel calls this our amphibian condition to be caught between two contradictory worlds. Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contradictory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contradictory
Adjective
  • Allow contrary viewpoints to be heard.
    Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The current chaotic geopolitical landscape fuels contrary trends in the South Caucasus.
    Thomas de Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Other credits include playing opposite Nicolas Cage in Between Worlds, starring alongside Hilary Duff and Jonathan Bennett in The Haunting of Sharon Tate, and headlining Lifetime’s Psycho Sister-in-Law.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Although the new commercial space ethos of building satellites fast and cheap has dominated Earth imaging from space for years, deep-space astronomy has so far been headed mostly in the opposite direction — trending toward more complex machines worth billions of dollars.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Dougherty said the previous school board decided not to pursue a bond after unfavorable polling showed voters would not be in favor of a facilities bond in the 2024 election.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The iPhone 17′s margin could also be squeezed by an unfavorable product mix and a higher bill of materials cost.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And asking to be paid for that is antithetical to the privilege of playing for your country.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • More prize money going to the better teams is antithetical to fair sporting competition.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contradictory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contradictory. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contradictory

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