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
Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
But Zelinka Parsons also sees a contrary problem for some people, especially those entering retirement with large nest eggs.
—Russ Wiles, USA Today, 7 Apr. 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
Meanwhile, some students just aren’t accustomed to contrary or controversial ideas and believe that even hearing them is harmful.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
But Zelinka Parsons also sees a contrary problem for some people, especially those entering retirement with large nest eggs.
—Russ Wiles, USA Today, 7 Apr. 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
-
These errant policies include the 340B drug discount program, which now has the contradictory impact of raising overall drug prices.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Where exactly is the United States’ economy amid these contradictory signals?—
Laurent Belsie,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Dunk’s mischievous sense of humour was highlighted by poking fun at critics of Hurzeler while attending a Premier League darts event in Brighton in March.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
His voice babbles away throughout the record and his mischievous personality shines.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, Adams failed to outright ask the most important questions: Were Canadians ever willing to join the rebellious Thirteen Colonies?—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
-
Libra: Marge Simpson from The Simpsons Only a Libra mother could calmly and miraculously put up with the shenanigans that her three rebellious children cause.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
11 May 2025
Noun
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The two are arguably the two biggest stars in golf and are polar opposites in many ways.—
Troy Finnegan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Betting the farm is the opposite of smart portfolio management.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
They are seen flinging a pizza box into their bucolic yard, smearing their faces with paint, raising their middle fingers, and saying naughty words.—
Peter Tonguette,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Listen to this article There’s nice Torrey Pines and naughty Torrey Pines.—
Bryce Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The president's remarks note a stark difference in recent comments he's made toward the rebel group.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
-
This week, rebel assassin Cinta Kaz (Varada Sethu) was accidentally shot by a Ghorman revolutionary during a routine attack on an Imperial transport ship.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Celtics never have a bad defender on the court.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
-
In Your Lawn Clover isn't a bad plant to have growing amongst the grass.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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The defiant message comes after weeks of intense news coverage and a Republican House committee investigation into Hope Florida and its nonprofit charity arm, the Hope Florida Foundation.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2025
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Post match, the 17-year-old was in a typically defiant mood.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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