About The Word Contrary

Bay Area Crosswords

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Contrary

Contrary Meaning & Definition
Contrary Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Contrary?

[n] two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false
[n] exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty"
[n] a relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"
[adj] in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary wind"
[adj] resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior"
[adj] very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a contrary conclusion"
[adj] of words so related that both cannot be true but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms"

Synonyms | Synonyms for Contrary: adverse | antonymous | different | disobedient | obstinate | opposite | perverse | reverse | unfavorable | unfavourable | wayward

Related Terms | Find terms related to Contrary: abjuratory | abnegative | adversary | adversative | adverse | adversive | alien | antagonistic | anti | antipathetic | antipodal | antipode | antipodean | antipodes | antipole | antithesis | antithetic | antithetical | antonym | antonymous | argumentative | assorted | at cross-purposes | at loggerheads | at odds | at opposite extremes | at variance | at war | awkward | back to back | bad | balancing | balky | bulky | cantankerous | choking | clashing | clumsy | compensating | competitive | con | conflicting | confounding | confronting | confutative | confuting | constrictive | contra | contradicting | contradictory | contradistinct | contrapositive | contrarily | contrarious | contrariwise | contrasted | contrasting | contrawise | contumacious | converse | conversely | counter | counteractive | counterbalance | counterbalancing | countercheck | counterpoint | counterpoise | counterpoised | counterpole | counterproductive | counterterm | countervailing | cranky | cross | cross-grained | crosswise | cumbersome | dead against | denying | departing | detrimental | deviant | deviating | deviative | different | differentiated | differing | difficult | disaccordant | disaffirming | disagreeable | disagreeing | disallowing | disavowing | disclaiming | discordant | discrepant | discrete | discriminated | disharmonious | disjoined | disowning | disparate | disproportionate | dissentient | dissenting | dissident | dissimilar | dissonant | distinct | distinguished | divergent | diverging | divers | diverse | diversified | enemy | eyeball to eyeball | face to face | foil | foul | fractious | froward | grating | hard | harmful | headstrong | heterogeneous | hindering | hindersome | hostile | hulking | hulky | immiscible | impractical | in disagreement | in opposition | in opposition to | in the way | inaccordant | inauspicious | incompatible | incongruous | inconsistent | inconsonant | inconvenient | inharmonious | inhibiting | inhibitive | inimical | inopportune | insubordinate | interrupting | interruptive | intractable | inverse | irascible | irreconcilable | jangling | jarring | just opposite | many | miserable | motley | multifarious | negative | negatory | nonconformable | nonconforming | nonconformist | noncooperative | nonobservant | nose to nose | not easy | obstinate | obstructing | obstructive | obstruent | obverse | occlusive | offset | opponent | opposed | opposing | opposite | opposite number | oppositely | oppositional | oppositive | oppugnant | ornery | out of accord | out of whack | overthwart | perverse | perversely | polar | poles apart | poles asunder | ponderous | rebellious | recalcitrant | recanting | recusant | refractory | refutative | refutatory | refuting | renunciative | renunciatory | repressive | repudiative | repugnant | restive | restrictive | reverse | revocative | revocatory | rigorous | rival | self-willed | separate | separated | setoff | several | sinister | squared off | stifling | strangling | stressful | stubborn | stuffy | sulky | sullen | suppressive | the contrary | the other side | troublesome | troublous | trying | unaccommodating | unadaptable | unadjustable | uncompliant | unconformable | unconforming | uncongenial | uncooperative | unequal | unfavorable | unfortunate | unfriendly | unhandy | unharmonious | unlike | unlucky | unmanageable | unpropitious | unruly | unsubmissive | untoward | unwieldy | variant | varied | variegated | various | varying | vice versa | vis-a-vis | wayward | widely apart | worlds apart | wretched | wrongheaded

See Also | logical relation | oppositeness | opposition

Contrary In Webster's Dictionary

\Con"tra*ry\ (? or ?; 48), a. [OE. contrarie, contraire, F. contraire, fr. L. contrarius, fr. contra. See {Contra-}.] 1. Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds. And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me. --Lev. xxvi. 21. We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way. --Shak. 2. Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent. Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed, And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds. --Milton. The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture. --Whewell. 3. Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child. 4. (Logic) Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other; as, contrary propositions. {Contrary motion} (Mus.), the progression of parts in opposite directions, one ascending, the other descending. Syn: Adverse; repugnant; hostile; inimical; discordant; inconsistent.
\Con"tra*ry\, n.; pl. {Contraries}. 1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave. --Shak. 2. An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] --Chaucer. 3. the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. See {Converse}, n., 1. --Locke. 4. (Logic) See {Contraries}. {On the contrary}, in opposition; on the other hand. --Swift. {To the contrary}, to an opposite purpose or intent; on the other side. ``They did it, not for want of instruction to the contrary.'' --Bp. Stillingfleet.

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