What does "contradiction" mean?
The act of contradicting.
Contradiction
/ˌkɒntɹəˈdɪkʃən/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of contradicting.
- Grammar: contradiction is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abjuration, abjurement, abnegation, abrogation.
- Useful contrasts: assertional content, evidential, external survey corroboration.
- Usage evidence: Our diplomacy and strategy ran in clear contradiction to each other.
How to use "contradiction"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "contradiction" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "contradiction" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "contradiction" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "contradiction" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "contradiction" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abjuration" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "contradiction", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of contradicting. countable, uncountable
"His contradiction of the proposal was very interesting."
- 2 the speech act of contradicting someone wordnet
- 3 A statement that contradicts itself, i.e., a statement that claims that the same thing is true and that it is false at the same time and in the same senses of the terms. countable
"There is a contradiction in Clarence Page's statement that a woman should have the right to choose and decide for herself whether to have an abortion and at the same time she should not have that right."
- 4 (logic) a statement that is necessarily false wordnet
- 5 A logical inconsistency among two or more elements or propositions. countable
"Marx believed that the contradictions of capitalism would lead to socialism."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas wordnet
- 7 A proposition that is false for all values of its propositional variables or Boolean atoms. countable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Our diplomacy and strategy ran in clear contradiction to each other."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "contradiction"?
Common synonyms include: abjuration, abjurement, abnegation, abrogation, absolute contradiction, annulment.
How do you use "contradiction" in a sentence?
Our diplomacy and strategy ran in clear contradiction to each other.
How do you pronounce "contradiction"?
Pronounced /ˌkɒntɹəˈdɪkʃən/.
Etymology
From Middle English contradiccioun, contradiction, from Old French contradiction, from Latin contrādictiō, from contrādīcō (“speak against”).