Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   contrary

   /ˈkɒntrəri/

   adjective

   • 1. opposite in nature, direction, or meaning: "he ignored contrary advice and agreed on the deal" Similar oppositeopposingopposedcontradictoryclashingconflictingantitheticalincompatibleirreconcilabledifferentdifferingcontrastinginconsistentincongruousreversecounterinformal:backasswardsrare:oppugnantantipathicOpposite compatiblesame
   • ▪ (of two or more statements, beliefs, etc.) opposed to one another: "his mother had given him contrary messages"
   • ▪ (of a wind) blowing in the opposite direction to one's course; unfavourable.
   • ▪ (of two propositions) so related that one or neither but not both must be true.
   • 2. perversely inclined to disagree or to do the opposite of what is expected or desired: "she is sulky and contrary where her work is concerned" Similar perverseawkwarddifficultuncooperativeunhelpfulobstructivedisobligingunaccommodatingunreasonabletroublesometiresomeannoyingvexatiousdisobedientrecalcitrantrefractorywilfulheadstrongself-willedcapriciouswaywardcross-grainedstubbornobstinateobduratemulishpig-headedbull-headedintractablethrawninformal:cussedbloody-mindedbolshiestroppybalkyarchaic:frowardcontumaciousrare:renitentpervicaciouscontrariousOpposite accommodatingcooperativeobliging

   noun

   • 1. the opposite: "an Act applies only to the United Kingdom unless the contrary is expressed"
   • 2. a contrary proposition.

   Word Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French contrarie, from Latin contrarius, from contra ‘against’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. contrarily adverb
   • 2. contrariness noun

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • Y

     4

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points