English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

contradiction

kont-ruh-DIHK-shuhn
noun
1
A statement or idea that is inconsistent with another, or that clashes with itself.
"There's a clear contradiction between what he said last week and what he's saying now."
""A silent alarm" almost sounds like a contradiction in terms."
2
The act of contradicting.
"She grew tired of his constant contradiction of everything she said."

How to Use Contradiction

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA clash between two statements, ideas, or facts that can't both be true.

Common pairings
a blatant contradiction contradiction in terms logical contradiction

Word Forms

contradictions plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “contradiction” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

There's a clear _____ between what he said last week and what he's saying now.

Etymology

From Old French contradiction, from Latin contradictio, from contradicere ("to speak against").

Antonyms

Rhymes for contradiction

See all rhymes for contradiction →

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial