# contradictory

/ˌkɑntɹəˈdɪktɝi/ (US) · /kˌɒntɹədˈɪktəɹˌi/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. mutually exclusive or opposing

adjective · CEFR B2

describes statements, ideas, or pieces of evidence that say the opposite of each other.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. tending to oppose

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes a person who often disagrees with others or says the opposite just to be difficult.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. logical opposite

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

one of two ideas or statements that cannot both be true at the same time.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- His story has contradictory details.
- The witness gave contradictory accounts of the time the accident happened.
- The politician's contradictory statements on tax reform confused voters and drew sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle.

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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.