ZebraWords.com - The Definition of 'Contrary', Synonyms of 'Contrary' & More on 'Contrary'

1. Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

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

Dictionary Results for contrary:

1. WordNet® 3.0 (2006)

contrary
    adj 1: very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts
           contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a
           contrary conclusion"
    2: of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true
       but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms"
    3: 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]
    4: in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary
       wind" [syn: adverse, contrary]
    n 1: a relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older
         than Bill but just the reverse was true" [syn: reverse,
         contrary, opposite]
    2: exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not
       guilty"
    3: a logical relation such that two propositions are contraries
       if both cannot be true but both can be false

2. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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]

3. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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]

4. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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]

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