1
as in contradictory
being as different as possible
the other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischievous
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
a contrary child who wouldn't behave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else
the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrary
Roy Scranton
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
Also on Sunday, Netanyahu asserted once again that there is no starvation crisis in Gaza, despite contrary reports from international organizations including the United Nations.
—Dana Karni, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Adjective
Each makes its contrary unreal, even absurd.
—Roy Scranton
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
Also on Sunday, Netanyahu asserted once again that there is no starvation crisis in Gaza, despite contrary reports from international organizations including the United Nations.
—Dana Karni, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
Soldiers, to the contrary, have regularly stood by as settlers engage in wanton violence against Palestinians.
—Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrary
Adjective
-
But these surveys, many of them credible and worth considering, often spit out different data, allowing interested readers to draw different, sometimes contradictory, conclusions.—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
-
And lots of parents are confused by contradictory messages from various health authorities around childhood vaccinations.—
Pia Pannaraj,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
An 1856 drawing of a popular San Francisco saloon known as the Cobweb Palace depicts a crowd of humans joined by two dogs, a pig, a parrot, and six monkeys—at least two of whom seem to be doing mischievous battle with men in the crowd.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Sep. 2025
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Behind the decks, a mischievous, trigger-happy DJ Próvaí occasionally came in a beat too early, adding an air of levity to the occasion.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Ana, a rebellious 19-year-old from Barcelona, is sent by her wealthy father to a Patronato facility overseen by the merciless Sister Socorro.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The show was set in an old church, which felt apt for the rebellious theme.—
Marley Gotterer,
Them.,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In fact, actually the opposite.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The two women, however, are polar opposites.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Clementine’s is also known for its naughty (boozy) and nice (booze-free) flavors.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
24 Sep. 2025
-
He's since been taught that's the naughty finger.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Iran and later Russia dispatched troops to save him, while Turkey and Gulf states backed rebel militias.—
Robin Yassin-Kassab,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Offering a complete range of tailored clothing, leather jackets, footwear, and accessories, JV denotes the taste of high fashion with a rebel aesthetic.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But what if cold plunges are actually bad for women?—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
22 Sep. 2025
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The alternative — nothing — would certainly be worse.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Palestinian Authority president vowed to world leaders that Hamas would have no role in governing post-war Gaza, in a defiant United Nations speech Thursday.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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