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contrary
/ˈkɒntrəri/
opposite in nature
The results were contrary to our expectations.
The results were the opposite of what we expected.
formal
opposite in nature, direction, or meaning
Contrary to popular belief, the earth is not flat.
Despite what many people think, the earth is not flat.
Used to emphasize opposition or contrast. Often follows 'contrary to'.
informal
stubbornly opposed to others' wishes or opinions
He’s so contrary that he’ll argue just to be difficult.
He refuses to agree with anyone, often for no good reason.
Describes a person who deliberately resists cooperation or agreement.
technical
in opposition to a prevailing view or standard
In logic, a contrary statement cannot be true if its counterpart is true.
Two statements are contrary if they cannot both be true, but both can be false.
In logic, 'contrary' refers to statements that cannot both be true but can both be false.
Collocations
contrary toin opposition toon the contraryused to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous onecontrary to popular beliefdespite what many people think
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy with 'contrary to'
Say 'contrary to expectations' instead of 'contrary to what was expected'. The phrase implies the contrast.
Gold Rule
Use 'contrary' for deliberate opposition
For neutral opposition, use 'opposite' (e.g., 'the opposite side of the street'). Reserve 'contrary' for stubborn or willful resistance.
Word Origin
From Latin *contrarius* ('opposite, facing'), from *contra* ('against, opposite'). Entered English in the 14th century.
Usage Notes
As an adjective, 'contrary' often implies deliberate opposition, while 'opposite' is more neutral. Avoid overusing 'on the contrary'—it should introduce a clear contradiction.
Word Breakdown
contra-
against, opposite
prefix-ary
relating to
suffixEnglish Dictionary