contradict

1 of 2

verb

con·​tra·​dict ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt How to pronounce contradict (audio)
contradicted; contradicting; contradicts
Synonyms of contradict

transitive verb

1
: to assert the contrary of : take issue with
contradict a rumor
She contradicted her brother's account of what happened.
2
: to imply the opposite or a denial of
Your actions contradict your words.
The evidence contradicts his testimony.
contradictable
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-tə-bəl How to pronounce contradict (audio)
adjective
contradictor
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-tər How to pronounce contradict (audio)
noun

contradicter

2 of 2

noun

con·​tra·​dict·​er
variants or contradictor
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-tər How to pronounce contradicter (audio)
plural -s
: one who contradicts

Synonyms of contradict

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for contradict

deny, gainsay, contradict, contravene mean to refuse to accept as true or valid.

deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of.

denied the charges

gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said.

no one can gainsay her claims

contradict implies an open or flat denial.

her account contradicts his

contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility.

laws that contravene tradition

Examples of contradict in a Sentence

Verb He contradicted the charges of his critics. My sister doesn't like being contradicted. The mayor's actions in office contradicted the promises he made during the campaign.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
After the boutique’s statement, Clarkson doubled down on her claims on her Instagram stories with photos featuring a price tag on the bird that contradicted the shop’s first statement. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 One is that the chairman's top lieutenants speak for him, or at least wouldn't contradict him in public. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 His argument would have been laughable, if not for the fact that Black Americans were barred from giving testimony against white people in California’s courts and therefore from contradicting Smith’s account. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 In the postgame report, the head official contradicted that, saying New York did have their timeout. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contradict

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Latin contrādictus, past participle of contrādīcere, contrā dīcere "to speak against, object to, oppose, assert the contrary," from contrā contra- + dīcere "to talk, speak, say" — more at diction

First Known Use

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contradict was in 1582

Phrases Containing contradict

Rhymes for contradict

See All Rhymes for contradict

Browse Nearby Words

contra dance
contradict
contradictedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contradict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradict. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

contradict

verb
con·​tra·​dict ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt How to pronounce contradict (audio)
1
: to say the opposite of what someone else has said : deny the truth of
2
: to be opposed or contrary to : go against
your actions contradict your words
contradictor
-ˈdik-tər How to pronounce contradict (audio)
noun
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