CONTRADICTORY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'contradictory' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contradictory are antithetical , contrary , and opposite . While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid. // made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

Q: When can 'antithetical' be used instead of 'contradictory'?

The synonyms antithetical and contradictory are sometimes interchangeable, but antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition. // a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'contrary' instead of 'contradictory'?

While the synonyms contrary and contradictory are close in meaning, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition. // contrary assessments of the war situation

Q: Where would 'opposite' be a reasonable alternative to 'contradictory'?

The meanings of opposite and contradictory largely overlap; however, opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict. // opposite views on foreign aid

contradictory

adjective

ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē

Definition of contradictory next

as in contrary

being as different as possible contradictory predictions regarding stock prices that were of no help to investors at all

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How does the adjective contradictory differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contradictory are antithetical, contrary, and opposite. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

When can antithetical be used instead of contradictory?

The synonyms antithetical and contradictory are sometimes interchangeable, but antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

When is it sensible to use contrary instead of contradictory?

While the synonyms contrary and contradictory are close in meaning, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

Where would opposite be a reasonable alternative to contradictory?

The meanings of opposite and contradictory largely overlap; however, opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

Examples 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 contradictory That said, Urman happens to be much better than most of her peers at integrating seemingly contradictory ideas, genres, and tones. —

Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2024 In a seemingly contradictory finding, research that used functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, to study brain responses to disgusting humor did not find a pattern of brain activity that was distinct from plain disgust. —

Anthony Gianni Vaccaro, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2024 The countries gathering for the BRICS summit, where Gavrilov is helping to chaperone delegates, share a similar mix of apparently contradictory views. —

Keir Simmons, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024 On August 30, 2024, the Eleventh Circuit delivered its opinion in Schwarzbaum, reaching a contradictory decision. —

Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contradictory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contradictory

Adjective

There is no line value based solely on the model but the Giants apply to a very good 236-117-10 ATS contrary indicator and this is the type of game that the Steelers traditionally haven’t been at their best under coach Mike Tomlin.

Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Once perceptions are framed and anchored, confirmation bias—the tendency for people to pay attention only to evidence that agrees with their perceptions and to ignore contrary information—tends to set in.

Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2024