Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [kon-trer-ee; for 5 also kuh n-trair-ee]
- /ˈkɒn trɛr i; for 5 also kənˈtrɛər i/
- /ˈkɒn.trə.ri/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kon-trer-ee; for 5 also kuh n-trair-ee]
- /ˈkɒn trɛr i; for 5 also kənˈtrɛər i/
Definitions of contrary word
- adjective contrary Ideas, attitudes, or reactions that are contrary to each other are completely different from each other. 3
- adjective contrary opposed in nature, position, etc 3
- adjective contrary perverse; obstinate 3
- adjective contrary (esp of wind) adverse; unfavourable 3
- adjective contrary (of plant parts) situated at right angles to each other 3
- adjective contrary (of a pair of propositions) related so that they cannot both be true at once, although they may both be false together 3
Information block about the term
Origin of contrary
First appearance:
before 1200 One of the 9% oldest English words
1200-50; Middle English contrarie < Anglo-French < Latin contrārius. See contra1, -ary
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Contrary
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
contrary popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
contrary usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for contrary
adj contrary
- inimical — adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful: a climate inimical to health.
- conflicting — clashing; contradictory
- antithetical — Something that is antithetical to something else is the opposite of it and is unable to exist with it.
- hostile — of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy: a hostile nation.
- negative — expressing or containing negation or denial: a negative response to the question.
adjective contrary
- opposing — to act against or provide resistance to; combat.
- different — not alike in character or quality; distinct in nature; dissimilar: The two brothers are very different, although they are identical twins.
- differing — to disagree in opinion, belief, etc.; be at variance; disagree (often followed by with or from): His business partner always differs with him.
- divergent — diverging; differing; deviating.
- dissimilar — not similar; unlike; different.
preposition contrary
- against the grain — contrary to one's feelings, nature, wishes, etc.; irritating or displeasing
noun contrary
- opposite — situated, placed, or lying face to face with something else or each other, or in corresponding positions with relation to an intervening line, space, or thing: opposite ends of a room.
- inverse — reversed in position, order, direction, or tendency.
- other side of the coin — a piece of metal stamped and issued by the authority of a government for use as money.
- antithesis — The antithesis of something is its exact opposite.
adverb contrary
- conversely — You say conversely to indicate that the situation you are about to describe is the opposite or reverse of the one you have just described.
- oppositely — situated, placed, or lying face to face with something else or each other, or in corresponding positions with relation to an intervening line, space, or thing: opposite ends of a room.
- contrariwise — from a contrasting point of view; on the other hand
- inversely — in an inverse manner.
- on the contrary — opposite in nature or character; diametrically or mutually opposed: contrary to fact; contrary propositions.
Antonyms for contrary
adj contrary
- friendly — characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship: a friendly greeting.
- kind — of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person.
- harmonious — marked by agreement in feeling, attitude, or action: a harmonious group.
- agreeing — to have the same views, emotions, etc.; harmonize in opinion or feeling (often followed by with): I don't agree with you.
- similar — having a likeness or resemblance, especially in a general way: two similar houses.
adjective contrary
- cooperative — A cooperative is a business or organization run by the people who work for it, or owned by the people who use it. These people share its benefits and profits.
Top questions with contrary
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with c
- Words starting with co
- Words starting with con
- Words starting with cont
- Words starting with contr
- Words starting with contra
- Words starting with contrar
- Words starting with contrary