contrary

Meaning

Adj

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

Adv

Contrarily

Noun

1. The opposite.
2. One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true, though they may both be false.
3. (historical) A type of loaded die.

Verb

1. (obsolete) To oppose; to frustrate.
2. (obsolete) To impugn.
3. (obsolete) To contradict (someone or something).
4. (obsolete) To do the opposite of (someone or something).
5. (obsolete) To act inconsistently or perversely; to act in opposition to.
6. (obsolete) To argue; to debate; to uphold an opposite opinion.
7. (obsolete) To be self-contradictory; to become reversed.

Synonyms

opposite

reverse

adverse

opposed

inverse

converse

contradictory

against

opposing

alien

👽

perverse

wayward

obstinate

unfavourable

antipathetic

reversed

balky

antagonistic

defiant

counter

antonym

antipathetical

antithetic

reciprocal

slow-witted

disobedient

restive

rebellious

cross

hostile

inverted

other side

contumacious

contrasting

contrast

antithetical

contrariwise

contrarily

foul

eccentric

contradiction

antithesis

anti

dogged

dissident

contradicting

dissenting

excessive

dissentient

complementary

Translations

contraire

contrario

contrario

opposé

tegengesteld

strijdig

tegenliggend

tegenstrijdig

opposto

adverso

Gegenteil

entgegengesetzt

tegenstaand

widerwärtig

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkɒntɹəɹi/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: contrarie

Cognate with French: contraire

In summary

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