contradict

verb

con·​tra·​dict ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt 

contradicted; contradicting; contradicts

transitive verb

1

: to assert the contrary of : take issue with

contradict a rumor

She contradicted her brother's account of what happened.

2

: to imply the opposite or a denial of

Your actions contradict your words.

The evidence contradicts his testimony.

contradictable

ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-tə-bəl 

adjective

contradictor

ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• disagree (with)
• gainsay

Choose the Right Synonym for contradict

deny, gainsay, contradict, contravene mean to refuse to accept as true or valid.

deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of.

denied the charges

gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said.

no one can gainsay her claims

contradict implies an open or flat denial.

her account contradicts his

contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility.

laws that contravene tradition

Examples of contradict in a Sentence

He contradicted the charges of his critics.

My sister doesn't like being contradicted.

The mayor's actions in office contradicted the promises he made during the campaign.

Recent Examples on the Web

And nothing Douglass has done here has contradicted that notion. —Dave Sheinin, Washington Post, 21 June 2024

She was ejected from the vehicle, and died at the scene in what the coroner's office said was an accident, contradicting the previous assertion by police. —Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 18 June 2024

Some of the information revealed appears to contradict claims that the company has made publicly. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 12 June 2024

Emily Baden said the upside-down American flag was hoisted at a home owned by Alito and his wife in late January 2021, contradicting his claim in a letter to Congress that his wife put it up in response to an ugly neighborhood confrontation with her that took place in February. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin contrādictus, past participle of contrādīcere, contrā dīcere "to speak against, object to, oppose, assert the contrary," from contrā contra- + dīcere "to talk, speak, say" — more at diction

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing contradict

• contradict oneself

Kids Definition

contradict

verb

con·​tra·​dict ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt 

1

: to say the opposite of what someone else has said : deny the truth of

2

: to be opposed or contrary to : go against

your actions contradict your words

contradictor

-ˈdik-tər 

noun