Our diplomacy and strategy ran in clear contradiction to each other.
Source: tatoeba (23442)
Contradiction
/ˌkɒntɹəˈdɪkʃən/
Synonyms for "contradiction" (209 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (42)
abjurationabjurementabnegationabrogationabsolute contradictionannulmentanswerantagonismantipathyantithesisargumentationbacklashbuckingchallengechuckingchucking outclashingcollisioncomplete answerconflict
Show 13 more words
Noun(8 words)
Adjective(1 words)
contrary to
Strong matches (63)
contraversioncontroversioncontroversycounteractioncounteringcounterpositioncounterworkingcrankinesscross purposescross-purposescrosscurrentcrossingcrotchetinessdeclensiondeclinationdecliningdemolitiondenialdeprivationdespisal
Show 38 more words
despisingdifferencedisaccorddisaccordancedisaffirmationdisagreementdisallowancedisapprovaldisavowaldiscarddisclaimerdisclamationdiscorddiscordancediscordancydiscountingdiscreditingdiscrepancydisharmonydismissaldisobediencedisownmentdisparitydisproofdisregarddissensiondissentdissidencedissonancedisuniondisunitydivergencediversityeffective rejoinderexceptionexclusionfactionforswearing
Related words (104)
Adjective(5 words)
french contradictioninconsistent issuelogical incoherencemutual inconsistencyunexpected result
frictiongainsayinghead windhostilityignoringimpugnationimpugnmentinaccordanceinconsistencyinequalityinimicalnessinterferencejarringkicknaynegationnegativenixnononacceptance
Show 64 more words
nonapprovalnoncompliancenonconformitynonconsiderationnonobservancenullificationopposingoppositenessoppositionopposureoppugnanceoppugnancyoppugnationoverthrowoverthrowalparadoxpassing byperversenessperversitypolarityputting awayputting outreactionrebuffrebutmentrebuttalrecalcitrancerecantationrecoilrefusalrefutalrefutationrejectionrenitencyrenouncementrenunciationrepercussionrepudiationrepugnancerepulseresistanceretentionretractationretractionrevocationrevoltscoutingshowdownspurningsquelchstanding againstsubversionswimming upstreamthrowing outthumbs downtraversalturndownturning outundercurrentunderminingunharmoniousnessupsetupsettingvariance
Noun(14 words)
illogicincoherenceincongruenceincongruitiesinconsistenciesinconsistencyirreconcilableitalian negarelielogical inconsistencyoppositionoxymoronoxymoronsparadoxes
Verb(1 words)
observed inconsistency
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abjuration, abjurement, abnegation, abrogation, absolute contradiction.
- Sentence evidence is available for contradiction, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "contradiction".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "contradiction"
Keep "contradiction" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "contradiction" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "contradiction", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "contradiction" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
10 entriesconceptfalsehoodfalsityfigure of speechlinguistic devicenegationoppositenessoppositionstatementuntruth
More specific
6 entriesCollocations
6 entriescontradiction in termsinternal contradictionlogical contradictionself-contradictiontextual contradictionverbal contradiction
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
14 total sentences available.
These facts admit of no contradiction.
Source: tatoeba (55205)
I was charmed with it, adopted it, dropped my abrupt contradiction and positive argumentation, and put on the humble inquirer and doubter.
Source: tatoeba (254771)
Love is a great contradiction. You cannot live without it but at the same time you will be hurt by it.
Source: tatoeba (390076)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "contradiction"?
Closest matches include abjuration, abjurement, abnegation, abrogation, absolute contradiction.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "contradiction"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.