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contrary

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of contrary

1 being as different as possible
  • The other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion.
Synonyms of contrary

antipodal, antipodean, antithetical, contradictory, diametric (or diametrical), opposite, polar
Words Related to contrary

adverse, negative, unfavorable

antagonistic, antipathetic, counter, cross, hostile

converse, inverse, obverse, reverse

alien, disparate, dissimilar, divergent, unalike, unlike
Near Antonyms of contrary

alike, analogous, like, similar

equivalent, identical, same

synonymous
Antonyms of contrary

noncontradictory
2 engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
  • a contrary child who wouldn't behave
Synonyms of contrary

bad, errant, froward, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty
Words Related to contrary

defiant, disrespectful, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impolite, improper, impudent, indecorous, insolent, rude, uncouth, unmannerly

disobedient, headstrong, intractable, obstreperous, recalcitrant, refractory, transgressing, unruly, untoward, willful (or wilful)

balky, restive, uncontrollable, ungovernable, wayward, wild

elfish, impish, knavish, monkeying, monkeyish, ornery, pixieish, prankish, rascally, roguish, waggish

disorderly, rowdy

babyish, childish, immature, infantile, jejune, juvenile, kiddish, puerile
Near Antonyms of contrary

acquiescent, compliant, complying, dutiful, obedient, submissive

considerate, courteous, kindly, mannerly, polite, thoughtful

angelic (or angelical), cherubic, divine, heavenly

amenable, docile, governable, tractable

amiable, complaisant, good-natured, obliging, pleasant

discreet, modest

adult, grown-up, mature
Antonyms of contrary

behaved, behaving, nice, orderly
3 given to resisting authority or another's control
  • The contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination.
Synonyms of contrary

balky, contumacious, defiant, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, refractory, restive, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)
Words Related to contrary

noncooperative, uncooperative

insurgent, mutinous

adamant, adamantine, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding

fractious, restive, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild

perverse, resistant, wrongheaded

bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty

undisciplined

discourteous, disrespectful, ill-bred, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impertinent, impolite, impudent, inconsiderate, insolent, ornery, rude, uncivil, uncouth, ungracious, unmannerly
Near Antonyms of contrary

acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, cooperative, deferential, obliging

yielding

behaved, disciplined, well-bred

courteous, polite, respectful

kowtowing, obsequious, servile, slavish, subservient

decorous, mannerly, orderly, proper

controllable, governable, manageable, trainable
Antonyms of contrary

amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable

Synonym Discussion of contrary

contrary, perverse, restive, balky, wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control. contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.
    • a contrary child
perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal.
    • a perverse, intractable critic
restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders.
    • tired soldiers growing restive
balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action.
    • a balky witness
wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior.
    • a school for wayward youths

synonyms see in addition opposite

contrary

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of contrary

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 of contrary

antipode, antithesis, counter, negative, obverse, opposite, reverse
Words Related to contrary

negation

antonym

counterpoint

converse, inverse, mirror image
Near Antonyms of contrary

synonym

analogue (or analog), counterpart

carbon copy, copy, duplicate, replica

Learn More about contrary

  1. See words that rhyme with contrary Dictionary: Definition of contrary Spanish Central: Translation of contrary Nglish: Translation of contrary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of contrary for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contrary

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