con·tra·dic·to·ry
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē 
: involving, causing, or constituting a contradiction
contradictory statements
The witnesses gave contradictory accounts of the accident.
con·tra·dic·to·ry
plural contradictories
: a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 2a) so related to another that if either of the two is true the other is false and if either is false the other must be true
Synonyms
Examples of contradictory in a Sentence
Adjective
contradictory predictions regarding stock prices that were of no help to investors at all
Recent Examples on the Web
Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The group previously ran seemingly contradictory ads aimed at voters in different swing states.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2024
Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, 24 Sep. 2020
For a school board that has criticized Foose for a lack of transparency, the secret talks over separation and lining up an interim appear contradictory.
—Howard County Times, 3 May 2017
See all Example Sentences for contradictory 
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.
Adjective
Charismatic Leadership And Body Language The most magnetic business leaders have mastered the art of balancing two seemingly contradictory forces: receptivity and formidability.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The group previously ran seemingly contradictory ads aimed at voters in different swing states.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
For six months, experts have given the American public contradictory and weaponized election-year directives on masks, social distancing, lockdowns, school closures, and workplace policies.
—Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, 24 Sep. 2020
For a school board that has criticized Foose for a lack of transparency, the secret talks over separation and lining up an interim appear contradictory.
—Howard County Times, 3 May 2017
See all Example Sentences for contradictory
Articles Related to contradictory
Dictionary Entries Near contradictory
Cite this Entry
“Contradictory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradictory. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share