CONTRARY Synonyms: 222 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'contrary' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contrary are antithetical , contradictory , and opposite . While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition. // contrary assessments of the war situation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'antithetical' instead of 'contrary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contrary , antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition. // a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Q: In what contexts can 'contradictory' take the place of 'contrary'?

While the synonyms contradictory and contrary are close in meaning, contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid. // made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

Q: When can 'opposite' be used instead of 'contrary'?

In some situations, the words opposite and contrary are roughly equivalent. However, opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict. // opposite views on foreign aid

contrary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē

Definition of contrary

as in contradictory

being as different as possible the other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mischievous

engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior a contrary child who wouldn't behave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

contrary

2 of 2

noun

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē

as in opposite

something that is as different as possible from something else the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love

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How does the adjective contrary differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contrary are antithetical, contradictory, and opposite. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

When is it sensible to use antithetical instead of contrary?

While in some cases nearly identical to contrary, antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

In what contexts can contradictory take the place of contrary?

While the synonyms contradictory and contrary are close in meaning, contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

When can opposite be used instead of contrary?

In some situations, the words opposite and contrary are roughly equivalent. However, opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of contrary

Adjective

The desperate, contrary need to be different — to be florid — pulled me completely out of the story. — Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026 But there’s no shortage of people that take a contrary view. — Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026

Noun

Soldiers, to the contrary, have regularly stood by as settlers engage in wanton violence against Palestinians. — Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023 And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary. — Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for contrary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrary

Adjective

Students argue over texts, challenge interpretations, introduce contradictory evidence, and question one another’s reasoning.

— Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Briscoe, for instance, has found that in neural-tube patterning there are two ways of reaching the same place in the landscape — a finding that reconciled previously contradictory observations.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of contradictory

Adjective

The shoes appeared similar to the popular DSquared 2 Riri heeled sandals, which are also a sleek, seductive and rebellious style with towering heels and straps that wrap around the foot and ankle with super-thin leather ties.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Suzanne’s kind of rebellious temperament brought a lucidity to that character.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Noun

Even while dripping in haute couture, Edebiri somehow never appears stuffy or unapproachable — quite the opposite.

— Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
The current twins, Declonius and Salton, are feuding opposites, both of whom find ways to lure Batter into their schemes.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of opposite

Adjective

Capturing towns and roads would hamper Tigrayan fighters without necessarily securing the vast rural areas where the rebel forces regrouped during the previous war, Taylor said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Main roads leading Yemen’s third-largest city have been closed amid rebel attacks, with regular clashes on the outskirts and overnight bombardment.

— Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebel

Adjective

Bajaria may also have hit thin ice with Sarandos after the streamer won just 16 Primetime Emmy Awards this year — its worst showing since 2016 and down from 30 in 2025.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The size of the boat, the distance from the tow boat's berth and how bad the boat is stuck will all factor into the final invoice.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

From men wearing pink to push back against the pressures of toxic masculinity to women pushing back against unrealistic body standards, pink has become a color of defiant empathy.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Hazlewood broke the defiant stand between Markram and Wiaan Mulder that started late Monday and endured for nearly two more hours on Tuesday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of defiant

Cite this Entry

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“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contrary

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noun

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Synonyms of contrary

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noun

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