What does "contradictory" mean?
Either of a pair of propositions, that cannot both be true or both be false.
Contradictory
/ˌkɒntɹəˈdɪkt(ə)ɹi/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Either of a pair of propositions, that cannot both be true or both be false.
- Grammar: contradictory is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: conflicting, self-contradictory, abjuratory, abnegative.
- Useful contrasts: conformant, academic consistency, agreeing.
- Usage evidence: Hui Shi had many ingenious notions. His writings would fill five carriages; but his doctrines were erroneous and contradictory, and his words were wide of their mark.
How to use "contradictory"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "contradictory" 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
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- 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 "contradictory" 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
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "contradictory" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 Either of a pair of propositions, that cannot both be true or both be false.
"If one proposition is the negation of another, it follows trivially from the definition that the two propositions are contradictories. The converse does not hold. Two propositions can be contradictories without either being the negation of the other. For example: 3) John is more than six feet tall and 4) John is either exactly six feet tall or else less than six feet tall are contradictories, but neither is the negation of the other. Negation is one way, but not the only way, of forming a contradictory."
- 2 two propositions are contradictories if both cannot be true (or both cannot be false) at the same time wordnet
Adjective
- 1 That contradicts something, such as an argument.
"This wide variety of genuinely contradictory holy sutras generated a serious problem in later Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. In the early period the Chinese and Japanese did not know that there were so many schools of Buddhism which disagreed with one another. Chinese and Japanese Buddhists assumed that every single Buddhist sutra was the actual words of the Buddha himself. As a result, Chinese Buddhists had to come up with some kind of explanation for the contradictory claims and assertions apparently made by the same holy person. The Chinese T’ien-t’ai school decided that the texts were spoken by the Buddha but tailored to different audiences of vastly different capabilities and insight."
- 2 That is itself a contradiction.
"Our attitudes toward sharks are contradictory. We fear them and yet we seek them out."
- 3 That is diametrically opposed to something.
"Schemes […] contradictory to common sense."
- 4 Mutually exclusive.
"[White House deputy chief of policy Stephen] Miller has offered contradictory versions of Trump administration statements and court rulings."
- 5 Tending to contradict or oppose, contrarious.
Adjective
- 1 unable for both to exist or be true at the same time wordnet
- 2 in disagreement wordnet
- 3 that confounds or contradicts or confuses wordnet
- 4 of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true and both cannot be false wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"Hui Shi had many ingenious notions. His writings would fill five carriages; but his doctrines were erroneous and contradictory, and his words were wide of their mark."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "contradictory"?
Common synonyms include: conflicting, self-contradictory, abjuratory, abnegative, absonant, adversary.
How do you use "contradictory" in a sentence?
Hui Shi had many ingenious notions. His writings would fill five carriages; but his doctrines were erroneous and contradictory, and his words were wide of their mark.
How do you pronounce "contradictory"?
Pronounced /ˌkɒntɹəˈdɪkt(ə)ɹi/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin contradictorius, from Latin contradico. Equivalent to contradict + -ory.