verb
contradict
kon-truh-DIHKT
verb
1
To say something that is the opposite of, or inconsistent with, another statement.
"His new testimony contradicted what he had told police earlier."
"The two witnesses contradicted each other on almost every detail."
2
To argue that someone is wrong by directly opposing what they say.
"She rarely dared to contradict her boss in meetings."
How to Use Contradict
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo say the opposite of, or clash with, something already said.
Common pairings
contradict yourself
contradict a claim
contradict each other
Word Forms
contradicted past tense, contradicts singular
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Etymology
From Latin contradictus, past participle of contradicere, literally "to speak against."