Definition of CONTRARY

contrary

Plural: contraries

Noun

  • An opposite or conflicting thing, often used in contrast.
  • a relation of direct opposition
  • exact opposition
    • "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty"
  • a logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false
  • The opposite.
  • One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true, though they may both be false.
  • A type of loaded die.

Adjective Satellite

  • very opposed in nature or character or purpose
    • "acts contrary to our code of ethics"
    • "the facts point to a contrary conclusion"
  • of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false
    • "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms"
  • resistant to guidance or discipline
    • "Mary Mary quite contrary"
  • in an opposing direction
    • "a contrary wind"

Adj

  • Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
  • Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.
  • Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.

Adv

  • Contrarily

Verb

  • To oppose; to frustrate.
  • To impugn.
  • To contradict (someone or something).
  • To do the opposite of (someone or something).
  • To act inconsistently or perversely; to act in opposition to.
  • To argue; to debate; to uphold an opposite opinion.
  • To be self-contradictory; to become reversed.

Examples

  • a contrary disposition; a contrary child
  • contrary winds
  • To the contrary of my strategy, I played a short word to open a triple word score.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).

Scrabble Score: 13

contrary: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
contrary: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
contrary: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

contrary: valid Words With Friends Word