CONTRADICTION Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

contradiction

noun

ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-shən

Definition of contradiction

as in paradox

someone or something with qualities or features that seem to conflict with one another a loving father as well as a ruthless killer, the gangster is a living contradiction

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in denial

a refusal to confirm the truth of a statement the actress's contradiction of the marriage rumor caused quite a stir

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 contradiction Father knows best In many ways, Mehmeti is a player full of contradictions. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 Within that very document, the contradictions concerning Black people are spelled out in the original language that originalists are so devoted to. — Kamau Bobb october 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 This disturbing contradiction suggests that different physical laws apply to the observer and the observed. — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 The production designer brought a deep understanding of the contradictions of the early modern period to his work, as evidenced in the clear visual contrasts between the ornate (but not sooty! — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contradiction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contradiction

Noun

However, Raman's fractured relationship with the DSA has become the defining paradox of her candidacy here in LA.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026
This is the paradox that Condorcet, a passionate believer in democracy, encountered in the late 18th century.

— Alex Stone, Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of paradox

Noun

Brandon McElroy, who founded the nonprofit Green Air Solutions to lead the fight against J7, said in an interview that the denial was a decisive win.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
If the company chooses to obey, the Chinese might retaliate with the denial of crucial rare-earth metals.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of denial

Noun

The shouts of rejection came in part because there was a plausible scenario under which James would have opened the season at Madison Square Garden in a Knicks uniform.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejection

Browse Nearby Words

contradicting

contradiction

contradictions

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Style

“Contradiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contradiction. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contradiction

noun

Example Sentences

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