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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischievous
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
a contrary child who wouldn't behave
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrary
Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
One factor that does serve to lend a veneer of playful irony to the film’s contrary elements is Aaron Gilhuis’ original score.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 15 July 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
Gordon Pennycook: In general, people who believe conspiracies often have contrary beliefs.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2025
One factor that does serve to lend a veneer of playful irony to the film’s contrary elements is Aaron Gilhuis’ original score.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 15 July 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
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Here are three key takeaways: Why migraines happen: There are two contradictory schools of thought, both of which can be traced back to the nineteenth century.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
12 Aug. 2025
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But the federal takeover in the nation's capital accompanies contradictory crime data.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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With the help of Michał, a fellow school outcast, Hania encounters Sindri—a mischievous pixie living in the nearby forest—who vows to aid them.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
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Lacy maintains a mischievous relationship with social media.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The story follows Bárbara, rebellious and broke, who fakes her way into a convent for a private room and some peace—only to find herself on an unexpected spiritual journey.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
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The town’s rebellious spirit and dreamy beach backdrop attracted a who’s who in music, from Duke Ellington in the 1920s to Led Zeppelin, who skipped Woodstock in 1969 to play the Asbury Park Convention Hall.—
Jen Murphy,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While many acne-fighting products tend to compromise barrier function, this is the rare formula that does the opposite.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
4 Aug. 2025
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And the congressman, who's running for reelection in 2026, did the opposite of shutting down speculation.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Tucked into a mansion-like building in Midtown, this Mediterranean-leaning lounge has been upgraded to offer a setting that feels like a naughty secret.—
Rafael Peña,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
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There are many more unbelievable and naughty moments to come in Stalter’s career, to be sure.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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After all, in Andor, a rebel alliance pushes back against an emperor.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Aug. 2025
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Martial law and a state of emergency would be imposed in more than 60 townships across nine regions and states due to the threat of violence and insurgency, the report said, many in border areas where the military is facing unprecedented resistance from rebel groups.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Shafer pointed to Wauwatosa’s Hart Park, which was inundated but helped prevent even worse flooding downstream.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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So, bad for the nation's largest city, bad for the Democratic Party, and bad for the nation overall given the importance of the Democrats mustering the ability to take back the House next year to counter Trump.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In its 56th edition, the photography festival, running until 5th October, embraces the provocatively defiant theme Disobedient Images, under the directorship of Christoph Wiesner.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Even postgrads, navigating early adulthood in a shifting economic landscape, leaned into the aesthetic, dressing with a kind of defiant playfulness that pushed back against the pressure to look older.—
Alexandra Jane,
Essence,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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