# contradiction

/ˌkɑntɹəˈdɪkʃən/ (US) · /kˌɒntɹədˈɪkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/contradiction
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. logical inconsistency

noun · CEFR B2

a situation where two ideas or facts are opposite, so they cannot both be right.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. self-opposing statement

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a statement that contains two ideas that go against each other.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. the act of disagreeing

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of saying that what someone else said is wrong.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- There is a contradiction between what he says and what he does.
- The witness's second statement was in direct contradiction to the evidence found at the scene.
- The philosopher argued that the policy was a performative contradiction, as the act of proposing it violated the very principles the proposal sought to protect.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.