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
Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Being pro-immigration, and in favor of a secure border are not contrary concepts, Fetterman said.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 2 June 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
In another case decided earlier this term, the Supreme Court found the FDA acted lawfully in rejecting two other vaping companies’ applications, reversing the 5th Circuit’s contrary decision.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Being pro-immigration, and in favor of a secure border are not contrary concepts, Fetterman said.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 2 June 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
-
Anti-fragile leaders have learned to embrace paradox – holding apparently contradictory truths simultaneously and using that tension as competitive fuel.—
Tarun Galagali,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
Aster is constantly muddying his characters with contradictory views and selfish motives, so that no one’s hands are entirely clean.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Now that a whole new generation has been introduced to the mischievous agent of chaos, merchandise sales are likely to keep soaring through the holiday season.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 July 2025
-
The sweet little girl and her mischievous blue alien finally give Hollywood its first billion-dollar movie of 2025, with Lilo & Stitch the only studio film to reach the milestone this year.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
From director James DeMonaco, creator of The Purge franchise, actor-comedian Davidson plays Max in The Home, a rebellious twenty-something sentenced to community service at a quiet retirement home.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
-
The story follows rebellious young demigod Ne Zha, who wrestles with his powers and the threat of humanity’s destruction.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
In fact, his position and his actions do the opposite.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is compact enough to disappear under your screen, but Dolby Atmos and multi-directional sound do the opposite of disappearing, filling your room up with sound.—
Juhi Wadia July 11,
PC Magazine,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Frank gives me just the wonderful opportunity to be naughty.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
-
In other news, water is wet and the Islanders are naughty.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
The country is currently led by former rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa who was appointed transitional president last March, having acted as its de-facto leader following Al-Assad’s flight to Russia.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 July 2025
-
The president led 15,000 federalized militiamen from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania into the west—though no rebel army materialized to oppose them.—
Time,
Time,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Earlier this month, employees at the Environmental Protection Agency, filed their own letter, with even worse results; 140 of them were placed on administrative leave.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
22 July 2025
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The alternative — keeping him around, highly paid and not played — would have been worse.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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On Monday, asked about the poll proposal at an unrelated event, Adams was defiant.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
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Trump's defiant response in Butler, Penn., may have fueled his big Election Day gains among male voters.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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