the exact opposite (esp in the phrase to the contrary)
7. on the contrary
8.
either of two exactly opposite objects, facts, or qualities
9. logic
a statement that cannot be true when a given statement is true
adverb(usually foll by to)
10.
in an opposite or unexpected way
contrary to usual belief
11.
in conflict (with) or contravention (of)
contrary to nature
Derived forms
contrariness (conˈtrariness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin contrārius opposite, from contrā against
contrary in American English
(ˈkɑnˌtrɛri; for 4, often kənˈtrɛri)
adjective
1.
opposed; in opposition
contrary to the rules
2.
opposite in nature, order, direction, etc.; altogether different
3.
unfavorable
contrary winds
4.
inclined to oppose or disagree stubbornly; perverse
nounWord forms: pluralˈconˌtraries
5.
the opposite; thing that is the opposite of another
6. Logic
either of two propositions so related that only one can be true but both may be false
see also contradictory (sense 4)
adverb
7.
in a contrary way; contrariwise
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈopposite
Idioms:
by contraries
on the contrary
to the contrary
SYNONYMY NOTE: contrary, in this comparison, implies a habitual disinclination to accept orders, advice,etc.; , perverse implies an unreasonable obstinacy in deviating from what is considered right or acceptable;, restive is applied to persons who are impatient under restraint or discipline and hence arehard to control or keep in order; , balky implies a stopping short and stubbornly refusing to go on
ME contrarie < OFr contraire < L contrarius, opposite, opposed < contra, against
Examples of 'contrary' in a sentence
contrary
But there is one make that takes a contrary view of the iconography of the metal box.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The contrary appetites of public servants don't help a kitchen much.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You have shown no remorse, quite the contrary.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Because we talked earlier about how if you pulled an opinion and you see more evidence to the contrary, your opinion becomes more ingrained.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
But if she had not been, or had taken the contrary view, would the casting have been wrong?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Showing our backbone and speaking bluntly has to be contrary to our nature.
Christianity Today (2000)
On the contrary it may well push up these costs.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGING FOR RESULTS (1986)
They are genuinely by ideas that run contrary world view.
The Sun (2016)
This pitiful recourse had an effect quite contrary to that which it was intended to produce.
Hibbert, Christopher Red Coats and Rebels - the war for America 1770-1781 (1990)
The evidence to the contrary is now overwhelming.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is a dangerous coast for contrary currents and winds.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This view is contrary to the aims of critical social research for a number of reasons.
Lee Harvey Critical Social Research (1990)
On the contrary it may well be superior.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Such ideas are totally contrary to the accepted wisdom of our economists and politicians.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
Migrant birds have been held up by contrary winds.
The Sun (2013)
It may be better to take a contrary view.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Indeed, there is evidence that the contrary is true.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She cared for people - contrary to popular thinking.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is not to say that managerial skill is irrelevant; quite the contrary.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
On the contrary, you think better and more quickly when your stomach is not full.
Lutzner, Dr Helmut Successful Fasting -the easy way to cleanse your body of its poisons (1990)
You must not say that this cannot be, or that that is contrary to nature.
Charles Kingsley The Water Babies (1863)
Or the contrary may be the case -- you are less anxious when you have a bit of peace and quiet.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVELY FEARLESS: Breaking free of the fears that hold you back (2001)
Quite the contrary is true.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVE THINKING: Everything you have always known about positive thinking but wereafraid to put into practice (2001)
On the contrary, money numbers are complex and often baffling, and in the past few years they have been particularly so.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
contrary
British English: contrary /ˈkɒntrərɪ/ NOUN
You use on the contrary when you are contradicting what has just been said.
People just don't do things like that. — On the contrary, they do them all the time.
American English: contrary
Arabic: مُعَاكِس
Brazilian Portuguese: contrário
Chinese: 反面
Croatian: naprotiv
Czech: opak
Danish: modsat
Dutch: tegendeel
European Spanish: contrario
Finnish: vastakohta
French: contraire
German: Gegenteil
Greek: αντίθετο
Italian: contrario
Japanese: 正反対
Korean: 반대
Norwegian: motsetning
Polish: przeciwieństwo
European Portuguese: contrário
Romanian: din contră
Russian: противоположность
Latin American Spanish: contrario
Swedish: motsats
Thai: ในทางตรงกันข้าม
Turkish: karşıt
Ukrainian: протилежність
Vietnamese: điều trái ngược
British English: contrary ADJECTIVE
Ideas, attitudes, or reactions that are contrary to each other are completely different from each other.
This view is contrary to the aims of critical social research for a number of reasons.
American English: contrary
Brazilian Portuguese: contrário
Chinese: 相对立的观点、态度、反应
European Spanish: terco
French: contraire
German: gegensätzlich zu
Italian: contrario
Japanese: 反対の
Korean: ~에 반하는
European Portuguese: contrário
Latin American Spanish: terco
All related terms of 'contrary'
contrary to
If you say that something is true contrary to other people's beliefs or opinions , you are emphasizing that it is true and that they are wrong .
contrary view
Your view of a particular subject is the way that you understand and think about it.
contrary evidence
Evidence is anything that you see, experience, read , or are told that causes you to believe that something is true or has really happened .
on the contrary
You use on the contrary when you have just said or implied that something is not true and are going to say that the opposite is true.
quite the contrary
You can use quite the contrary to emphasize a previous negative statement, or when you are making a strong negative reply .
to the contrary
When a particular idea is being considered , evidence or statements to the contrary suggest that this idea is not true or that the opposite is true.
contrary to popular belief
You use contrary to popular belief to introduce a statement that is the opposite to what is thought to be true by most ordinary people.
Chinese translation of 'contrary'
contrary 1
(ˈkɔntrərɪ)
adj
(= opposite, different) 相反的 (xiāngfǎn de)
n(c/u)
the contrary相反 (xiāngfǎn)
on the contrary正相反 (zhèng xiāngfǎn)
contrary to popular opinion与(與)公众(眾)看法相反 (yǔ gōngzhòng kànfǎ xiāngfǎn)
to the contrary相反的 (xiāngfǎn de)
请勿将 on the contrary 和 in contrast 混淆。on the contrary 用于驳斥某人或某事，指出他们是错误的。 'People just don't do things like that.' - 'On the contrary, they do them all thetime.'in contrast 用来表示你现在谈论的内容与先前所说的内容是截然不同的。 The company said yesterday that in contrast with much of the rest of the industry,it is currently enjoying rapid growth.