Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contrary to
Strong leadership requires constant effort to listen to views that contrary to our biases, keep that open mind, and find a middle ground.
—
Andrea Keiser, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
The idea that McDavid or Draisaitl should not be paired with a rookie winger runs contrary to experience.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
So there was no police body-camera footage of the scene, contrary to the lawsuit claim that footage was tampered with, Carney said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
The source emphasized that Nancy was never scheduled to attend a Tucson church service that day, contrary to some reports, and said the misunderstanding has led to confusion about the circumstances surrounding when she was first reported missing.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrary to
Andrea Keiser, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
The idea that McDavid or Draisaitl should not be paired with a rookie winger runs contrary to experience.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
So there was no police body-camera footage of the scene, contrary to the lawsuit claim that footage was tampered with, Carney said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
The source emphasized that Nancy was never scheduled to attend a Tucson church service that day, contrary to some reports, and said the misunderstanding has led to confusion about the circumstances surrounding when she was first reported missing.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrary to
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrary to
Preposition
-
The lawsuit also levels a series of accusations against the city of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
With the city facing multiple lawsuits over the billing debacle, Clark helped oversee a friendly class-action lawsuit against the city, the judge found.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Preposition
-
An obstructionist Supreme Court, however, stood athwart the New Deal’s path.—
John Fabian Witt,
The New Republic,
26 Aug. 2022
-
One of the world’s largest container ships was wedged athwart the Suez Canal on March 23rd, blown off course by high winds.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
27 Mar. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Contrary to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary%20to. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
