contradict

[ kon-truh-dikt ]
See synonyms for: contradictcontradictedcontradictingcontradicts on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to assert the contrary or opposite of; deny directly and categorically.

  2. to speak contrary to the assertions of: to contradict oneself.

  1. (of an action or event) to imply a denial of: His way of life contradicts his stated principles.

  2. Obsolete. to speak or declare against; oppose.

verb (used without object)
  1. to utter a contrary statement.

Origin of contradict

1
First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin contrādictus “spoken against,” past participle of contrādīcere “to gainsay, speak against,” from contrā- contra-1 + dīcere “to say, speak, tell”

synonym study For contradict

1, 2. See deny.

Other words for contradict

Opposites for contradict

Other words from contradict

  • con·tra·dict·a·ble, adjective
  • con·tra·dict·er, con·tra·dic·tor, noun
  • un·con·tra·dict·a·ble, adjective
  • un·con·tra·dict·a·bly, adverb
  • un·con·tra·dict·ed, adjective
  • un·con·tra·dict·ed·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use contradict in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contradict

contradict

/ (ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt) /


verb
  1. (tr) to affirm the opposite of (a proposition, statement, etc)

  2. (tr) to declare (a proposition, statement, etc) to be false or incorrect; deny

  1. (intr) to be argumentative or contrary

  2. (tr) to be inconsistent with (a proposition, theory, etc): the facts contradicted his theory

  3. (intr) (of two or more facts, principles, etc) to be at variance; be in contradiction

Origin of contradict

1
C16: from Latin contrādīcere, from contra- + dīcere to speak, say

Derived forms of contradict

  • contradictable, adjective
  • contradicter or contradictor, noun
  • contradictive or contradictious, adjective
  • contradictively or contradictiously, adverb
  • contradictiveness or contradictiousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012