What does "contrarian" mean?
A person who likes or tends to express a contradicting viewpoint, especially from one held by a majority of people, usually because of nonconformity or spite.
Contrarian
/kənˈtɹɛə.ɹi.ən/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A person who likes or tends to express a contradicting viewpoint, especially from one held by a majority of people, usually because of nonconformity or spite.
- Grammar: contrarian is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: apostate, bolshie, italian opposizione, level of rebelliousness.
- Usage evidence: He likes to adopt a contrarian view just for the hell of it.
How to use "contrarian"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "contrarian" 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 "contrarian" 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 "contrarian" is acting as adj, 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
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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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 A person who likes or tends to express a contradicting viewpoint, especially from one held by a majority of people, usually because of nonconformity or spite.
"Christopher [Hitchens] is bored by the epithet contrarian, which has been trailing him around for a quarter of a century. What he is, in any case, is an autocontrarian: he seeks not just the most difficult position, but the most difficult position for Christopher Hitchens."
- 2 an investor who deliberately decides to go against the prevailing wisdom of other investors wordnet
- 3 A financial investor who tends to have an opinion of market trends at variance with most others.
"[T]o succeed as a contrarian, you have to be able to time trades in exactly the opposite direction of the majority. This means you have to move in when everyone else is fearful, and step back when everyone else is euphoric. This advice is easier to give than to follow, so contrarians are not just good at timing. They also are highly disciplined and able to set and follow rules for themselves that fly in the face of what the majority thinks."
Adjective
- 1 Liking or tending to express a contradicting viewpoint, especially from one held by a majority of people.
"The second part [of the book] explores the normative forms of adolescent resistance and contrarian behavior that vex parents and teachers alike. This discussion is within the context of chapters that look at the ways in which parenting and teaching for moral development can positively make use of these normative challenges."
- 2 Having an opinion of market trends at variance with most others.
"Yet at the same time, 401(k) traders became more contrarian in their response to falling markets during the crisis. Therefore, the increased sensitivity to market volatility was offset, in part, by a tendency to 'buy on the dips' in response to falling markets."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"He likes to adopt a contrarian view just for the hell of it."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "contrarian"?
Common synonyms include: apostate, bolshie, italian opposizione, level of rebelliousness, naysayer.
How do you use "contrarian" in a sentence?
He likes to adopt a contrarian view just for the hell of it.
How do you pronounce "contrarian"?
Pronounced /kənˈtɹɛə.ɹi.ən/.
Etymology
From contrary + -an (suffix forming agent nouns; and meaning of or pertaining to forming adjectives), modelled after words like libertarian.