Definition of contrary Contrary

/kɑˈntɹɛɹi/ - [kantreree] - con•tra•ry

We found 34 definitions of contrary from 7 different sources.

What does contrary mean?

Noun Plural: contraries
contrary - a logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false
contrary - exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty"
contrary - a relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"
		reverse, opposite
		oppositeness, opposition a body of people united in opposing something
Adjective contrary, contrarier, contrariest
contrary - resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior"
		obstinate, perverse, wayward
		disobedient not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority; "disobedient children"
contrary - very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a contrary conclusion"
contrary - of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms"
contrary - in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary wind"
		adverse

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contrary (Noun)
The opposite.
contrary (Noun)
One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true.
contrary (Verb)
To oppose; to frustrate.
contrary (Verb)
To impugn.
contrary (Verb)
To contradict someone or something.
contrary (Verb)
To do the opposite of someone or something.
contrary (Verb)
To act inconsistently or perversely; to act in opposition to.
contrary (Verb)
To argue; to debate; to uphold an opposite opinion.
contrary (Verb)
To be self-contradictory; to become reversed.
contrary (Adverb)
Contrarily.
contrary (Adjective)
Opposed in nature.
contrary (Adjective)
Strongly dissimilar.

contrary (a.)
Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds.
contrary (a.)
Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent.
contrary (a.)
Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child.
contrary (a.)
Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other; as, contrary propositions.
contrary (n.)
A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities.
contrary (n.)
An opponent; an enemy.
contrary (n.)
the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. See Converse, n., 1.
contrary (n.)
See Contraries.

contrary
kon′tra-ri, adj. opposite: contradictory—Contra′riant (rare).—n. a thing that is contrary or of opposite qualities.—n.pl. Con′traries, things opposite in quality: (logic) propositions which destroy each other.—n. Contrarī′ety, opposition: inconsistency.—adv. Con′trarily.—n. Con′trariness.—adj. Contrā′rious, showing contrariety: repugnant: opposite.—advs. Contrā′riously, contrarily; Con′trariwise, on the contrary way or side: on the other hand. [L. contrarius—contra, against.]

contrary
The wind when opposed to a vessel's course. "Cruel was the stately ship that bore her love from Mary, And cruel was the fair wind that wouldn't blow contrary."