contrarynoun [ S ]
uk/ˈkɒn.trə.ri/us/ˈkɑːn.tre.ri/formalthe contrary
the opposite:
I was worried that it might be too hard for me but it turned out the contrary was true.
on the contrary
B2 used to show that you think or feel the opposite of what has just been stated:
"I thought you said the film was exciting?" "On the contrary, I nearly fell asleep half way through it!"
to the contrary
C1 saying or showing the opposite:
For a long time it was thought to be a harmless substance, but we now have proof/evidence to the contrary.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Opposites
- antithesis
- antonym
- anything
- anything but idiom
- be like chalk and cheese idiom
- chalk
- countervailing
- dichotomous
- extreme
- flip side
- inverse
- inversion
- non-
- opposed
- opposite
- or otherwise idiom
- otherwise
- pole
- reverse
- vice versa
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Yes, no & not
contraryadjective
uk/ˈkɒn.trə.ri//kənˈtreə.ri/us/ˈkɑːn.trɚ.i//kənˈtrer.i/contrary adjective (OPPOSITE)
C1 uk/ˈkɒn.trə.ri/us/ˈkɑːn.tre-/opposite:
a contrary point of view
Contrary to all our expectations, he found a well-paid job and a nice girlfriend.
contrary to popular opinion uk/ˈkɒn.trə.ri/us/ˈkɑːn.tre-/
in a different way from what most people believe:
Contrary to popular opinion, I don't dye my hair!
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Opposing & against
- against
- anti
- anti-
- antithesis
- boycott
- bugger, sod, etc. this for a lark! idiom
- conscientious objector
- counter
- defy
- detractor
- down with...! idiom
- foam pie
- go against sth/sb
- objection
- objector
- oppose
- opposing
- point of order
- run against sb/sth
- stand
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Different and difference
contrary adjective (NOT REASONABLE)
uk/kənˈtreə.ri/us/-ˈtrer.i/A contrary person wants to disagree with and annoy other people:
He doesn't really mean it - he's just being contrary.
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Annoying
- accursed
- aggravating
- annoying
- bothersome
- contrariness
- exasperating
- galling
- incendiary
- infuriating
- insufferable
- interfering
- limit
- maddening
- niggle
- perishing
- pesky
- pisser
- provocative
- vexatious
- vexing
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Bad-tempered
contrarily
adverb /kənˈtreə.rɪ.li//kənˈtrer.ɪ.li/
It was the wettest June since 1997 in England and Wales. Contrarily, the far north of Scotland was dry.
She grew bored with hearing people complaining about the school and contrarily determined to find something to say in its favour.