Word
contradiction
Phoneticscon·tra·dic·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑntɹəˈdɪkʃən/
UK/kˌɒntɹədˈɪkʃən/
Definitions
01logical inconsistency
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a situation where two ideas or facts are opposite, so they cannot both be right.
n. a state of logical inconsistency between two or more propositions or elements. Often used to describe a conflict between a person's words and their actions.
“There is a big contradiction between what he says and what he actually does.”
“The witness's testimony was filled with contradictions, making it nearly impossible for the jury to determine the sequence of events.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02self-opposing statement
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Mathematics Academic
n. a statement that contains two ideas that go against each other.
n. a statement or proposition that contradicts itself, claiming that the same thing is both true and false simultaneously.
“The phrase 'a giant shrimp' is a bit of a contradiction in terms.”
“In formal logic, a proof by contradiction assumes the opposite of the desired conclusion to show that it leads to an impossible result.”
03the act of disagreeing
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the act of saying that what someone else said is wrong.
n. the act of asserting the opposite of a statement made by another person. Often carries a tone of direct challenge or confrontation.
“She was so confident that she didn't expect any contradiction from her team.”
“The professor tolerated no contradiction during his lectures, viewing any dissenting questions as a personal affront to his authority.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “contradiction” in context.
Adjective
01. apparent contradiction
“The scientist explained the apparent contradiction between the two sets of data.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“There is a knife-edge balance in McGurn’s work between tongue-in-cheek irreverence and deadly serious critique, which makes her paintings feel full of real-life contradictions and anomalies.” “It reflects a contradiction in how the law defines a family.” Etymology
From Middle English contradiccioun, contradiction, from Old French contradiction, from Latin contrādictiō, from contrādīcō (“speak against”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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