contravene
verb
con·tra·vene
ˌkän-trə-ˈvēn 
contravened; contravening
2
: to oppose in argument : contradict
contravene a proposition
contravener
noun
Did you know?
Contravene is most often used in reference to laws. So a government may take a company to court claiming that its policies are in contravention of national labor laws. The contravention of copyright laws is a big topic today especially where electronic information is involved. And a country might be punished if a trade organization finds that it's contravening international trade agreements.
Examples of contravene in a Sentence
The overcrowded dance club contravened safety regulations.
the unauthorized reproduction of the image contravenes copyright laws
Recent Examples on the Web
Ukraine's skeleton racer and flag bearer Vladyslav Heraskevych was seen wearing his helmet honoring athletes from his country who were killed during the war with Russia in training this afternoon, despite the IOC saying earlier that the helmet contravenes the Olympic Charter guidelines.
—
Sean Nevin, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Trump seems unconcerned that extorting his partners contravenes the principles of what was designed as a free-trade accord.
—Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2025
This bill would clearly contravene those decisions by mandating termination of US citizenship where an individual maintains another.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
There seemed to be an element of sadomasochistic play in their relationship, of withholding and succumbing, that contravenes the popular sense of an unremitting dominant-submissive dynamic.
—Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contravene
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Sean Nevin, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Trump seems unconcerned that extorting his partners contravenes the principles of what was designed as a free-trade accord.
—Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2025
This bill would clearly contravene those decisions by mandating termination of US citizenship where an individual maintains another.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
There seemed to be an element of sadomasochistic play in their relationship, of withholding and succumbing, that contravenes the popular sense of an unremitting dominant-submissive dynamic.
—Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contravene
Cite this Entry
“Contravene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contravene. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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