Word
contradictory
Phoneticscon·tra·dic·to·ry, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑntɹəˈdɪktɝi/
UK/kˌɒntɹədˈɪktəɹˌi/
Definitions
01mutually exclusive or opposing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes statements, ideas, or pieces of evidence that say the opposite of each other.
adj. describes two or more statements or ideas that are mutually exclusive, such that if one is true, the other must be false.
“The two witnesses gave contradictory accounts of the accident, so the police were confused.”
“The study produced contradictory results, with one data set suggesting a positive correlation while the other indicated a significant decline.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02tending to oppose
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. describes a person who often disagrees with others or says the opposite just to be difficult.
adj. describes a disposition or behaviour characterised by a tendency to oppose or argue against others.
“He was in a contradictory mood and disagreed with every suggestion I made.”
“Her contradictory nature often stalled committee progress, as she felt compelled to challenge even the most minor procedural consensus.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03logical opposite
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Law Academic · Technical
n. one of two ideas or statements that cannot both be true at the same time.
n. either of a pair of propositions that are so related that one must be true and the other false.
“In logic, 'all birds fly' and 'some birds do not fly' are contradictories.”
“The legal team struggled to reconcile the contradictories within the defendant's testimony before the trial commenced.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “contradictory” in context.
Adjective
01. apparently contradictory
“The scientist tried to reconcile the two apparently contradictory results of the experiment.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“They may have problems remembering what happened, or their memories may be jumbled or even contradictory.” “Paleoanthropologist Daniel Lieberman talks about diets he's tested, and contradictory information about what's healthy to eat and what's not.” Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin contradictorius, from Latin contradico. Equivalent to contradict + -ory.
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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