contradict
kon-truh-DIHKT
Contradict (verb) means to say something that is the opposite of, or inconsistent with, another statement. Example: “His new testimony contradicted what he had told police earlier.”
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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- contradicts
- Past tense
- contradicted
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His new testimony _____ what he had told police earlier.
Etymology
From Latin contradictus, past participle of contradicere, literally "to speak against."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “contradict” mean?
The word “contradict” means to say something that is the opposite of, or inconsistent with, another statement. In plain terms, to say the opposite of, or clash with, something already said.
How do you pronounce “contradict”?
“Contradict” is pronounced kon-truh-DIHKT (/ˌkɑn.tɹəˈdɪkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “contradict” in a sentence?
Here is “contradict” used in a sentence: “His new testimony contradicted what he had told police earlier.”
What is another word for “contradict”?
Words with a similar meaning to “contradict” include contravene, disconfirm, deny, dispute, question and gainsay.
What part of speech is “contradict”?
“Contradict” is a verb.
Where does the word “contradict” come from?
The word “contradict” comes from Latin. From Latin contradictus, past participle of contradicere, literally "to speak against.".
Is “contradict” a common word?
“Contradict” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “contradict” have?
“Contradict” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to say something that is the opposite of, or inconsistent with, another statement.
