1
as in contradictory
being as different as possible
the other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mischievous
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
a contrary child who wouldn't behave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in opposite
something that is as different as possible from something else
the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrary
Eli Elster, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
But a sleight of hand is at work; the maybes of one chapter become the assumptions of the next, and at times contrary evidence is entirely ignored.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Adjective
Supernatural beliefs, conspiracy theories and pseudoscience have struck researchers as totally impervious to contrary evidence.
—Eli Elster, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
But a sleight of hand is at work; the maybes of one chapter become the assumptions of the next, and at times contrary evidence is entirely ignored.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Soldiers, to the contrary, have regularly stood by as settlers engage in wanton violence against Palestinians.
—Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
And, it hadn’t been endorsed by big companies such as Pfizer, despite the company's claims to the contrary.
—Sabrina Talbert, Women's Health, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for contrary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrary
Adjective
-
Which may make his initial approach seem a bit contradictory to the expectation.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The high court typically weighs in on cases where multiple judicial circuits have contradictory rulings on the same matter, but Bill Shipley, a former federal prosecutor, believes the justices could take up the case before such a split among the appeals courts.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
His mischievous-urchin phase was short-lived.—
David Kamp,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Those mischievous Minions will have their Olympic moment after all.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The brand cultivates a fun, rebellious, and inclusive culture.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Your 11th House of Friendship hosts Venus, who squares rebellious Uranus in your 2nd House of Resources, pushing group plans against changing costs.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Your security guard is the opposite of the nurse.—
Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
-
But my former colleagues do the opposite.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
A little naughty, a little nice, kitten heels offer nine-to-five wear in polished yet practical form.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
-
More like raw, bold, and sometimes a little naughty.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Tutu, the new documentary from Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI, 4 Little Girls), is a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the smiling, joyous rebel clergyman who helped end Apartheid.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
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But Koch wasn’t Ogden’s only rebel influence.—
Bill Donahue,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Investigators are buried in leads The influx of tips generated in the case – further fueled by the release this week of footage captured by Guthrie’s doorbell camera – is both good and bad for law enforcement.—
Elizabeth Hartfield,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But the lack of bigger tax cuts does not inherently make the grocery tax repeal bad.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Other defiant moments on a global stage The NFL has long maintained guardrails around the halftime show, particularly when performances edge toward political commentary.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in person to a Republican congressional investigation into notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, apparently ending their defiant campaign of resistance.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrary. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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