contrary
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Related to contrary: contrary to popular belief
con·trar·y
(kŏn′trĕr′ē)adj.
1. Opposed, as in character or purpose: contrary opinions; acts that are contrary to our code of ethics.
2. Opposite in direction or position: Our boat took a course contrary to theirs. See Synonyms at opposite.
3. Music Moving in the opposite direction at a fixed interval: playing scales in contrary motion.
4. Adverse; unfavorable: a contrary wind.
5. (also kən-trâr′ē) Given to recalcitrant behavior; willful or perverse.
n. pl. con·trar·ies
1. Something that is opposite or contrary.
2. Either of two opposing or contrary things: "Truth is perhaps ... a dynamic compound of opposites, savage contraries for a moment conjoined" (A. Bartlett Giamatti).
3. Logic A proposition related to another in such a way that if the latter is true, the former must be false, but if the latter is false, the former is not necessarily true.
adv.
Idioms: In an opposite direction or manner; counter: The judge ruled contrary to all precedent in the case.
by contraries Obsolete
In opposition to what is expected.
on the contrary
In opposition to what has been stated or what is expected: I'm not sick; on the contrary, I'm in the peak of health.
to the contrary
To the opposite effect from what has been stated or what is expected: Despite what you say to the contrary, this contract is fair.
[Middle English contrarie, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin contrārius : contrā, against; see kom in Indo-European roots + -ārius, -ary.]
con′trar′i·ly (kŏn′trĕr′ə-lē, kən-trâr′-) adv.
con′trar′i·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
contrary
(ˈkɒntrərɪ)adj
1. opposed in nature, position, etc: contrary ideas.
2. perverse; obstinate
3. (Nautical Terms) (esp of wind) adverse; unfavourable
4. (Botany) (of plant parts) situated at right angles to each other
5. (Logic) logic (of a pair of propositions) related so that they cannot both be true at once, although they may both be false together. Compare subcontrary2, contradictory3
n, pl -ries
6. the exact opposite (esp in the phrase to the contrary)
7. on the contrary quite the reverse; not at all
8. either of two exactly opposite objects, facts, or qualities
9. (Logic) logic a statement that cannot be true when a given statement is true
adv (usually foll by to)
10. in an opposite or unexpected way: contrary to usual belief.
11. in conflict (with) or contravention (of): contrary to nature.
[C14: from Latin contrārius opposite, from contrā against]
conˈtrariness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
con•trar•y
(ˈkɒn trɛr i; for 5 also kənˈtrɛər i)adj., n., pl. -trar•ies,
adv. adj.
1. opposite in nature or character; diametrically or mutually opposed: contrary to fact; contrary beliefs.
2. opposite in direction or position: contrary motion.
3. being the opposite one of two.
4. unfavorable or adverse: contrary winds.
5. perverse; obstinate; stubbornly opposed or willful.
n. 6. something that is contrary or opposite.
7. either of two contrary things.
8. Logic. a proposition so related to another proposition that both may not be true though both may be false, as with the propositions “All judges are male” and “No judges are male.”
adv. 9. in opposition; oppositely; counter: to act contrary to one's principles.
Idioms: 1. by contraries, Archaic. contrary to expectation.
2. on the contrary, in opposition to what has been stated.
3. to the contrary, to the opposite effect: whatever you may say to the contrary.
con′trar•i•ly (ˈkɒn trɛr ə li, kənˈtrɛər-) adv.
con′trar•i•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
contrary
, converse, opposite, reverse - Contrary describes something that contradicts a proposition, converse is used when the elements of a proposition are reversed, opposite pertains to that which is diametrically opposed to a proposition, and reverse can mean each of those.See also related terms for reverse.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
contrary
1. 'on the contrary'
You say on the contrary when you are contradicting a statement that has just been made.
'You'll get tired of it.' – 'On the contrary. I'll enjoy it.'
You also use on the contrary when you have said that something is not the case, and you are going to say that the opposite is true.
There was nothing ugly about her dress: on the contrary, it was rather elegant.
2. 'on the other hand'
Don't say 'on the contrary' when you are going to mention a situation that contrasts with one you have just described. Don't say, for example, 'I don't like living in the centre of the town. On the contrary, it's useful when you want to buy something'. You say 'I don't like living in the centre of the town. On the other hand, it's useful when you want to buy something'.
It's certainly hard work. But, on the other hand, the salary is good.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  contrary - a relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"oppositeness, opposition - the relation between opposed entities |
| 2. | contrary - exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty" oppositeness, opposition - the relation between opposed entities | |
| 3. | contrary - a logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false logical relation - a relation between propositions | |
| Adj. | 1. | contrary - very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a contrary conclusion" different - unlike in nature or quality or form or degree; "took different approaches to the problem"; "came to a different conclusion"; "different parts of the country"; "on different sides of the issue"; "this meeting was different from the earlier one" |
| 2. | contrary - of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms" antonymous - of words: having opposite meanings | |
| 3. | contrary - resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior" disobedient - not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority; "disobedient children" | |
| 4. |  contrary - in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary wind"unfavorable, unfavourable - (of winds or weather) tending to hinder or oppose; "unfavorable winds" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
contrary
adjective
1. opposite, different, opposed, clashing, counter, reverse, differing, adverse, contradictory, inconsistent, diametrically opposed, antithetical His sister was of the contrary opinion to his.
opposite consistent, parallel, harmonious, in agreement, unopposed, congruous, accordant
opposite consistent, parallel, harmonious, in agreement, unopposed, congruous, accordant
2. perverse, difficult, awkward, wayward, intractable, wilful, obstinate, cussed (informal), stroppy (Brit. slang), cantankerous, disobliging, unaccommodating, thrawn (Scot. & Northern English dialect) Why must she always be so contrary?
perverse willing, helpful, obliging, accommodating, cooperative, agreeable, amiable, eager to please, tractable
perverse willing, helpful, obliging, accommodating, cooperative, agreeable, amiable, eager to please, tractable
noun
1. opposite, reverse, converse, antithesis Let me assure you that the contrary is, in fact, the case.
contrary to at odds with, counter to, in opposition to Contrary to popular belief, moderate exercise actually decreases your appetite.
on the contrary quite the opposite or reverse, on the other hand, in contrast, conversely The government must, on the contrary, re-establish its authority
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
contrary
adjective1. Diametrically opposed:
2. Given to acting in opposition to others:
That which is diametrically opposed to another:
Logic: contradictory, contrapositive.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
ضِد، نَقيض، عَكسمُتَناقِض، مُضاد، مُعاكِسمُعَاكِسمُعانِد، مُشاكِس
opakpaličatýprotinavzdory
det modsattei modsætning tilmodsatmodvilligstik imod
vastakohta
naprotiv
andstæîaandstæîuròverlyndur
正反対
반대
ietiepīgspretējaispretējībapretējs
nasprotennasprotjenasprotno
motsats
ในทางตรงกันข้าม
điều trái ngược
contrary
[ˈkɒntrərɪ]A. ADJ
1. [direction] → contrario; [opinions] → opuesto
contrary to → en contra de, contrario a
contrary to what we thought → en contra de lo que pensábamos
contrary to → en contra de, contrario a
contrary to what we thought → en contra de lo que pensábamos
2. [kənˈtrɛərɪ] (= perverse) → terco
B. N → contrario m
on the contrary → al contrario, todo lo contrario
quite the contrary → muy al contrario
he holds the contrary → él sostiene lo contrario
the contrary seems to be true → parece que es al revés
I know nothing to the contrary → yo no sé nada en sentido contrario
unless we hear to the contrary → a no ser que nos digan lo contrario
on the contrary → al contrario, todo lo contrario
quite the contrary → muy al contrario
he holds the contrary → él sostiene lo contrario
the contrary seems to be true → parece que es al revés
I know nothing to the contrary → yo no sé nada en sentido contrario
unless we hear to the contrary → a no ser que nos digan lo contrario
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
contrary
3 [ˈkɒntrəri] n → contraire m
on the contrary → au contraire
quite the contrary → bien au contraire
unless you hear to the contrary → sauf avis contraire, sauf contrordre
on the contrary → au contraire
quite the contrary → bien au contraire
unless you hear to the contrary → sauf avis contraire, sauf contrordre
contrary
4 [kənˈtrɛəri] adj (= perverse) [person] → contrariant(e), entêté(e)Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
contrary
1adj (= opposite) → entgegengesetzt; effect, answer also → gegenteilig; (= conflicting) views, statements also → gegensätzlich; (= adverse) winds, tides → widrig; in a contrary direction → in entgegengesetzter Richtung; something is contrary to something → etw steht im Gegensatz zu etw; it is contrary to our agreement → es entspricht nicht unseren Abmachungen; to run contrary to something → einer Sache (dat) → zuwiderlaufen; contrary to nature → wider die Natur; contrary to our hopes/intentions → wider all unsere Hoffnungen/Absichten, entgegen unseren Hoffnungen/Absichten; contrary to what I expected → entgegen meinen Erwartungen
n → Gegenteil nt; on the contrary → im Gegenteil; the contrary of what I expected → das Gegenteil von dem, was ich erwartet hatte; unless you hear to the contrary → sofern Sie nichts Gegenteiliges hören; statement/evidence to the contrary → gegenteilige Aussage/gegenteiliger Beweis; quite the contrary → ganz im Gegenteil
contrary
2Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
contrary
[ˈkɒntrərɪ; adj b kənˈtrɛərɪ]1. adj
a. contrary (to) → contrario/a (a), opposto/a (a)
contrary to nature → contro natura
contrary to what we thought → a differenza di or contrariamente a quanto pensavamo
contrary to nature → contro natura
contrary to what we thought → a differenza di or contrariamente a quanto pensavamo
b. (self-willed) → difficile, cocciuto/a, bisbetico/a
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
contrary1
(ˈkontrəri) adjective (often with to) opposite (to) or in disagreement (with). That decision was contrary to my wishes; Contrary to popular belief he is an able politician.
noun (with the) the opposite.
on the contrary the very opposite (is true). `Are you busy?' `No, on the contrary, I'm not doing anything at the moment.'
contrary2
(kənˈtreəri) adjective obstinate; unreasonable.
conˈtrariness nounKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
contrary
→ مُعَاكِس opak modsat Gegenteil αντίθετο contrario vastakohta contraire naprotiv contrario 正反対 반대 tegendeel motsetning przeciwieństwo contrário противоположность motsats ในทางตรงกันข้าม karşıt điều trái ngược 反面Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
contrary
a. contrario-a, adverso-a, opuesto-a.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012