First Known Use: 1582
Dictionary
contradict
verb con·tra·dict \ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt\
: to say the opposite of (something that someone else has said) : to deny the truth of (something)
: to deny or disagree with what is being said by (someone)
: to not agree with (something) in a way that shows or suggests that it is false, wrong, etc.
Full Definition of CONTRADICT
transitive verb
1
: to assert the contrary of : take issue with <contradict a rumor>
2
: to imply the opposite or a denial of <your actions contradict your words>
— con·tra·dict·able \-ˈdik-tə-bəl\ adjective
— con·tra·dic·tor \-ˈdik-tər\ noun
See contradict defined for English-language learners
See contradict defined for kids
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Origin of CONTRADICT
Latin contradictus, past participle of contradicere, from contra- + dicere to say, speak — more at diction
Related to CONTRADICT
- Synonyms
- disagree (with), gainsay
- Antonyms
- agree (with), concur (with)
Synonym Discussion of CONTRADICT
deny, gainsay, contradict, contravene mean to refuse to accept as true or valid. deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of <denied the charges>. gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said <no one can gainsay her claims>. contradict implies an open or flat denial <her account contradicts his>. contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility <laws that contravene tradition>.
Rhymes with CONTRADICT
CONTRADICTABLE Defined for Kids
contradict
verb con·tra·dict \ˌkän-trə-ˈdikt\
con·tra·dict·edcon·tra·dict·ing
Definition of CONTRADICT for Kids
1
: to deny the truth of a statement : say the opposite of what someone else has said <“Jack's afraid of something,” Mary said. “Jack's not afraid of anything, ever!” Laura contradicted. — Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie>
2
: to be opposed to <Your actions contradict your words.>
Word Root of CONTRADICT
The Latin word dicere, meaning “to say” or “to speak,” and its form dictus give us the root dict. Words from the Latin dicere have something to do with saying or speaking. To dictate is to say words that are to be written down by someone else. To contradict is to say the opposite of what someone else has said. To predict is to say what will happen before it does.
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