Contrary meaning

What does “contrary” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“contrary” is a noun and adjective with 7 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a relation of direct opposition.

contrary

noun

  1. a relation of direct opposition

    “we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true”

  2. exact opposition

    “public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty”

  3. a logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false

adjective

  1. very opposed in nature or character or purpose

    “acts contrary to our code of ethics”

    “the facts point to a contrary conclusion”

  2. of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false

    “`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms”

  3. resistant to guidance or discipline

    “Mary Mary quite contrary”

    “an obstinate child with a violent temper”

  4. in an opposing direction

    “adverse currents”

    “a contrary wind”

    Synonymsadverse

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University