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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Multiple companies now offer products that promise to spot the difference, with often contradictory, biased or erratic results.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Once a false or contradictory version starts moving, a company is no longer explaining what happened.

— Ronn Torossian, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of contradictory

Adjective

Converse and Vaquera are coming together again with a rebellious spirit.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
In the episode on the 1993 timeline, the team intervenes when a general’s rebellious teen son is targeted by a dangerous former gang member.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Noun

Whatnot pointed out that some of the leading trends across the past few years are seeing their opposites pick up.

— Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
But the romantic and professional relationship between Holmes and former company president Sunny Balwani seemed to be the opposite.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of opposite

Adjective

Since early 2025, the March 23 Movement, a rebel group, has seized control of large parts of the park, fueling poaching, deforestation and trafficking.

— Elodie Toto, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of rebel

Adjective

Angry and defiant, McQueen became a full throttle juvenile delinquent, and his mother sent him to the California Junior Boys Republic in Chino.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
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

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 28 Oct. 2026.

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