contradict

verb

con·​tra·​dict ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt How to pronounce contradict (audio)
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 adjective
contradictor noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Coyle’s assertion about what’s making life worse (inequality) contradicts the part about what makes life better. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 But Francis also contradicted himself and split some very specific hairs regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Samantha Riedel, Them., 21 Apr. 2025 The zoning commission’s recommendations contradicted the map 29% of the time. Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025 But an unidentified friend of hers had contradicted that account in an interview with a detective, saying Evans called it a consensual act in exchange for the promise of acting work. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contradict

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of contradict was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contradict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradict. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

contradict

verb
con·​tra·​dict ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt How to pronounce contradict (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on contradict

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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