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contrary

/ˈkɑntɹɛɹi/
adjectiveadverbnoun

Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Adjective 3 meanings

  1. Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.

    “contrary winds”

  2. Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.

  3. Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.

    “a contrary disposition; a contrary child”

Adverb 1 meaning

  1. Contrarily

    “I never act contrary to my principles.”

Noun 2 meanings

  1. The opposite.

  2. One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true, though they may both be false.

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).

Similar and opposite words

Similar
contradictorycontrariantcontrariouscountercrossdisagreeableopposedopposing
Opposite
cooperativesynergisticunopposed

CONTRARY at a glance

CONTRARY has 8 letters and scores 13 points in Scrabble (C 3 + O 1 + N 1 + T 1 + R 1 + A 1 + R 1 + Y 4) and 14 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #5,310 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.

Rhymes with contrary

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