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contradict

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌkɑntɹəˈdɪkt// UK //kˌɒntɹədˈɪkt// con·tra·dict Academic Archaic

v. to say that something is not true, or to be so different from something else that both cannot be right.

v. to assert the opposite of a statement made by another; to be logically inconsistent with a related fact or claim. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The two witnesses contradict each other.

CONTEXTUAL

The new evidence seems to contradict the theory that the scientists published last year.

COMPLEX

While the CEO claims the company is thriving, the internal financial reports flatly contradict his optimistic public statements, revealing a significant deficit.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Derived from Latin contrādictus (“contradicted”), the past participle of contrādīcō (“speak against”) (originally two words).

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; it does not require a preposition like 'with' or 'to'.

Pitfall

The data contradicts with the theory.The data contradicts the theory.Contradict is a transitive verb and should not be followed by the preposition 'with'.

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