'Contrary' definitions:
Definition of 'contrary'
(from WordNet)
adjective
Very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a contrary conclusion"
adjective
Of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms"
adjective
Resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior" [syn: contrary, obstinate, perverse, wayward]
adjective
In an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary wind" [syn: adverse, contrary]
noun
A relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true" [syn: reverse, contrary, opposite]
noun
Exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty"
noun
A logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false
Definition of 'Contrary'
From: GCIDE
- Contrary \Con"tra*ry\ (? or ?; 48), a. [OE. contrarie, contraire, F. contraire, fr. L. contrarius, fr. contra. See Contra-.]
- 1. Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds. [1913 Webster]
- And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me. --Lev. xxvi. 21. [1913 Webster]
- We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent. [1913 Webster]
- Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed, And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child. [1913 Webster]
- 4. (Logic) Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other; as, contrary propositions. [1913 Webster]
- Contrary motion (Mus.), the progression of parts in opposite directions, one ascending, the other descending.
- Syn: Adverse; repugnant; hostile; inimical; discordant; inconsistent. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Contrary'
From: GCIDE
- Contrary \Con"tra*ry\, v. t. [F. contrarier. See Contrary, a.] To contradict or oppose; to thwart. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- I was advised not to contrary the king. --Bp. Latimer. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Contrary'
From: GCIDE
- Contrary \Con"tra*ry\, n.; pl. Contraries.
- 1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. [1913 Webster]
- No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- 3. the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. See Converse, n., 1. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
- 4. (Logic) See Contraries. [1913 Webster]
- On the contrary, in opposition; on the other hand. --Swift.
- To the contrary, to an opposite purpose or intent; on the other side. "They did it, not for want of instruction to the contrary." --Bp. Stillingfleet. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'contrary'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abjuratory,
- abnegative,
- adversary,
- adversative,
- adverse,
- adversive,
- alien,
- antagonistic,
- anti,
- antipathetic,
- antipodal,
- antipode,
- antipodean,
- antipodes,
- antipole,
- antithesis,
- antithetic,
- antithetical,
- antonym,
- antonymous,
- argumentative,
- assorted,
- at cross-purposes,
- at loggerheads,
- at odds,
- at opposite extremes,
- at variance,
- at war,
- awkward,
- back to back,
- bad,
- balancing,
- balky,
- bulky,
- cantankerous,
- choking,
- clashing,
- clumsy,
- compensating,
- competitive,
- con,
- conflicting,
- confounding,
- confronting,
- confutative,
- confuting,
- constrictive,
- contra,
- contradicting,
- contradictory,
- contradistinct,
- contrapositive,
- contrarily,
- contrarious,
- contrariwise,
- contrasted,
- contrasting,
- contrawise,
- contumacious,
- converse,
- conversely,
- counter,
- counteractive,
- counterbalance,
- counterbalancing,
- countercheck,
- counterpoint,
- counterpoise,
- counterpoised,
- counterpole,
- counterproductive,
- counterterm,
- countervailing,
- cranky,
- cross,
- cross-grained,
- crosswise,
- cumbersome,
- dead against,
- denying,
- departing,
- detrimental,
- deviant,
- deviating,
- deviative,
- different,
- differentiated,
- differing,
- difficult,
- disaccordant,
- disaffirming,
- disagreeable,
- disagreeing,
- disallowing,
- disavowing,
- disclaiming,
- discordant,
- discrepant,
- discrete,
- discriminated,
- disharmonious,
- disjoined,
- disowning,
- disparate,
- disproportionate,
- dissentient,
- dissenting,
- dissident,
- dissimilar,
- dissonant,
- distinct,
- distinguished,
- divergent,
- diverging,
- divers,
- diverse,
- diversified,
- enemy,
- eyeball to eyeball,
- face to face,
- foil,
- foul,
- fractious,
- froward,
- grating,
- hard,
- harmful,
- headstrong,
- heterogeneous,
- hindering,
- hindersome,
- hostile,
- hulking,
- hulky,
- immiscible,
- impractical,
- in disagreement,
- in opposition,
- in opposition to,
- in the way,
- inaccordant,
- inauspicious,
- incompatible,
- incongruous,
- inconsistent,
- inconsonant,
- inconvenient,
- inharmonious,
- inhibiting,
- inhibitive,
- inimical,
- inopportune,
- insubordinate,
- interrupting,
- interruptive,
- intractable,
- inverse,
- irascible,
- irreconcilable,
- jangling,
- jarring,
- just opposite,
- many,
- miserable,
- motley,
- multifarious,
- negative,
- negatory,
- nonconformable,
- nonconforming,
- nonconformist,
- noncooperative,
- nonobservant,
- nose to nose,
- not easy,
- obstinate,
- obstructing,
- obstructive,
- obstruent,
- obverse,
- occlusive,
- offset,
- opponent,
- opposed,
- opposing,
- opposite,
- opposite number,
- oppositely,
- oppositional,
- oppositive,
- oppugnant,
- ornery,
- out of accord,
- out of whack,
- overthwart,
- perverse,
- perversely,
- polar,
- poles apart,
- poles asunder,
- ponderous,
- rebellious,
- recalcitrant,
- recanting,
- recusant,
- refractory,
- refutative,
- refutatory,
- refuting,
- renunciative,
- renunciatory,
- repressive,
- repudiative,
- repugnant,
- restive,
- restrictive,
- reverse,
- revocative,
- revocatory,
- rigorous,
- rival,
- self-willed,
- separate,
- separated,
- setoff,
- several,
- sinister,
- squared off,
- stifling,
- strangling,
- stressful,
- stubborn,
- stuffy,
- sulky,
- sullen,
- suppressive,
- the contrary,
- the other side,
- troublesome,
- troublous,
- trying,
- unaccommodating,
- unadaptable,
- unadjustable,
- uncompliant,
- unconformable,
- unconforming,
- uncongenial,
- uncooperative,
- unequal,
- unfavorable,
- unfortunate,
- unfriendly,
- unhandy,
- unharmonious,
- unlike,
- unlucky,
- unmanageable,
- unpropitious,
- unruly,
- unsubmissive,
- untoward,
- unwieldy,
- variant,
- varied,
- variegated,
- various,
- varying,
- vice versa,
- vis-a-vis,
- wayward,
- widely apart,
- worlds apart,
- wretched,
- wrongheaded