contra
1 of 3preposition
con·tra ˈkän-trə 
1
: against —used chiefly in the phrase pro and contra
2
: in opposition or contrast to
contra
2 of 3noun
con·tra ˈkän-trə
ˈkōn-,
-ˌträ : a member of a guerrilla group opposed to the Sandinista government in Nicaragua in the 1980s
contra-
3 of 3prefix
1
: against : contrary : contrasting
contradistinction
2
: pitched below normal bass
contrabassoon
Synonyms
Preposition
- against
- agin [dialect]
- anti
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Preposition a roundup of editorials pro and contra the proposed constitutional amendment
Recent Examples on the Web
David Yanofsky, Quartz, 10 Apr. 2020 For unnatural acts: for broadcasting old seed, tired seed, seed that does not quicken, contra naturam. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2020 A year later Cardinal Obando traveled to Washington, condemned the Sandinistas and spoke well of the contras. Stephen Kinzer, New York Times, 3 June 2018 Una hermosa mujer, 20 años después de presenciar el asesinato de su madre, busca venganza contra el hombre que la mató. Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2019 That’s why these health conditions are called contraindications—the vaccine is indicated for the safety of all children, but a child’s condition means their parents should go against that recommendation (contra). Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 26 Aug. 2019 Free general admission and live music from Ten Dollar Bet, who plays contras, rags, polkas, swing and Old World classics. Anchorage Daily News, 4 July 2019 Un ex-convicto participa contra su voluntad en peleas clandestinas para ganar dinero para la operación de una joven. Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2019 The dehumanization and torture of people simply seeking a better way of life, fleeing what climate change and American imperialism have wrought, is contra to every purportedly American value. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2019 See More
Noun
Use it to guide efficient shopping or relish in your contra-zeitgeist comforts. David Yanofsky, Quartz, 10 Apr. 2020 For unnatural acts: for broadcasting old seed, tired seed, seed that does not quicken, contra naturam. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2020 A year later Cardinal Obando traveled to Washington, condemned the Sandinistas and spoke well of the contras. Stephen Kinzer, New York Times, 3 June 2018 Una hermosa mujer, 20 años después de presenciar el asesinato de su madre, busca venganza contra el hombre que la mató. Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2019 That’s why these health conditions are called contraindications—the vaccine is indicated for the safety of all children, but a child’s condition means their parents should go against that recommendation (contra). Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 26 Aug. 2019 Free general admission and live music from Ten Dollar Bet, who plays contras, rags, polkas, swing and Old World classics. Anchorage Daily News, 4 July 2019 Un ex-convicto participa contra su voluntad en peleas clandestinas para ganar dinero para la operación de una joven. Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2019 The dehumanization and torture of people simply seeking a better way of life, fleeing what climate change and American imperialism have wrought, is contra to every purportedly American value. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Preposition
Middle English, from Latin
Noun
American Spanish, short for contrarrevolucionario counterrevolutionary
Prefix
Middle English, from Latin, from contra against, opposite — more at counter
First Known Use
Preposition
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1981, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing contra
Kids Definition
contra-
prefix
1
: against : contrary : contrasting
contradiction
2
: pitched below normal bass
Legal Definition
contra 1 of 2
preposition
con·tra ˈkän-trə
: in opposition or contrast to
contra
2 of 2adjective
: placed or set in opposition
contra parties
contra
preposition
as in anti
opposed to; not for a roundup of editorials pro and contra the proposed constitutional amendment Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- anti
- against
- agin
- versus
- contrary to
- athwart
- with
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- for
- pro