Synonyms of contradictory

contradictory

adjective

ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē 

as in opposite

being as different as possible

contradictory predictions regarding stock prices that were of no help to investors at all

Synonyms & Similar Words

• opposite
• contrary
• unfavorable
• antithetical
• divergent
• negative
• hostile
• polar
• diametric
• adverse
• antipodal
• antagonistic
• antipodean
• unlike
• counter
• disparate
• dissimilar
• reverse
• cross
• alien
• inverse
• antipathetic
• converse
• unalike
• obverse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similar
• analogous
• like
• same
• noncontradictory
• identical
• equivalent
• alike
• synonymous

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

Recent Examples of contradictory

The post-Super movies have more complex, contradictory characters but less ambiguity about what’s right (egalitarian societies in which every citizen has a voice) and what’s wrong (cultlike obedience to fascistic belief systems that have no interest in anything but domination and self-enrichment). —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Although the first season of The Asset centers around Tea and her contradictory feelings about PET and her targets, the final scene revolves around Ashley and her future. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

However, since these tools also lack the shared context of a CSPM, teams must constantly switch between consoles and resolve contradictory alerts. —Wyles Daniel, Ascend Agency, 28 Oct. 2025

For seasoned skiers, planning a winter holiday is often a delicate, and sometimes contradictory, art. —Charles Curkin, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025