ENGLISH
REFERENCE

contradictory

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌkɑntɹəˈdɪktɝi// UK //kˌɒntɹədˈɪktəɹˌi// con·tra·dic·to·ry

adj. describing two things that cannot both be true at the same time. If your statements are contradictory, they clash or cancel each other out.

adj. inconsistent with another statement or fact; mutually exclusive in meaning. Often used to describe conflicting evidence, claims, or behaviors.


SIMPLE

His story has contradictory details.

CONTEXTUAL

The witness gave contradictory accounts of the time the accident happened.

COMPLEX

The politician's contradictory statements on tax reform confused voters and drew sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Late Latin contradictorius, from Latin contradico. Equivalent to contradict + -ory.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb.

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