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What is the difference between contradict and contrary?

contradict | contrary |

Contrary is a conjunction of contradict.



In obsolete terms the difference between contradict and contrary

is that contradict is to speak against; to forbid while contrary is to be self-contradictory; to become reversed.

As an adjective contrary is

opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.

As an adverb contrary is

contrarily.

As a noun contrary is

the opposite.

contradict

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (obsolete) To speak against; to forbid.
  • *, New York 2001, p. 203:
  • magic hath been publically professed in former times, in Salamanca, Cracovia, and other places, though after censured by several universities, and now generally contradicted , though practised by some still […].
  • To deny the truth of (a statement or statements).
  • His testimony contradicts hers.
  • To make a statement denying the truth of the statement(s) made by (a person).
  • Everything he says contradicts me.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself, / And say it is not so.
  • * Wordsworth
  • The future cannot contradict the past.
  • To be contrary to; to oppose; to resist.
  • * Hooker
  • No truth can contradict another truth.
  • * Shakespeare
  • A greater power than we can contradict / Hath thwarted our intents.

    Synonyms

    * (l) * (l) * disconfirm * deny * dispute * question * gainsay * refute * controvert * dispute

    See also

    * gainsay

    contrary

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
  • contrary winds
  • * Bible, Leviticus xxvi. 21
  • And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me
  • * Shakespeare
  • We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way.
  • Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.
  • * Whewell
  • The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture.
  • Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.
  • a contrary''' disposition; a '''contrary child

    Derived terms

    * contrarian * contrarily * contrariwise * contrary to

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Contrarily
  • Noun

    (contraries)
  • The opposite.
  • * Shakespeare
  • No contraries hold more antipathy / Than I and such a knave.
  • One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true.
  • * I. Watts
  • If two universals differ in quality, they are contraries ; as, every vine is a tree; no vine is a tree. These can never be both true together; but they may be both false.

    Synonyms

    * witherward

    Derived terms

    * on the contrary * to the contrary

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • (obsolete) To oppose; to frustrate.
  • *Bishop Latimer
  • *:I was advised not to contrary the king.
  • *, I.47:
  • *:The Athenians having left the enemie in their owne land, for to pass into Sicilie , had very ill successe, and were much contraried by fortune.
  • (obsolete) To impugn.
  • (obsolete) To contradict (someone or something).
  • *:
  • *:thus wilfully sir Palomydes dyd bataille with yow / & as for hym sir I was not gretely aferd but I dred fore la?celot that knew yow not / Madame said Palomydes ye maye saye what so ye wyll / I maye not contrary yow but by my knyghthode I knewe not sir Tristram
  • *, II.12:
  • *:I finde them everie one in his turne to have reason, although they contrary one another.
  • (obsolete) To do the opposite of (someone'' or ''something ).
  • (obsolete) To act inconsistently or perversely; to act in opposition to .
  • (obsolete) To argue; to debate; to uphold an opposite opinion.
  • (obsolete) To be self-contradictory; to become reversed.
  • References

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