contradict Hear it!

contradict Definition

con·tra·dict (kän′trə dikt′)

transitive verb

    1. to assert the opposite of (what someone else has said)
    2. to deny the statement of (a person)
  2. to declare (a statement, report, etc.) to be false or incorrect
  3. to be contrary or opposed to; go against the facts contradict his theory

Etymology: < L contradictus, pp. of contradicere < contra-, contra- + dicere, to speak: see diction

intransitive verb

to speak in denial; oppose verbally

contradict Related Forms

con′·tra·dict′·able adjective con′·tra·dic′·tor noun or con′·tra·dict′er

contradict Synonyms

contradict

v.

  1. To oppose

    differ, call in question, confront; see dare 2, oppose 1.

  2. To deny

    disclaim, refuse to accept, repudiate; see deny. See syn. study at deny.

contradict Usage Examples

Subject

  • fact: You say my position is contradicted by many facts, then claim that despite all these facts they are not worth presenting.
  • evidence: Mr Oliver gave clear and unambiguous advice about that which has not been contradicted by any other evidence.
  • research: IN TEXT Smith [ 8 ] argued that... but this is contradicted by more recent research [ 9-15 ] .
  • reality: We are led to believe that there is currently a Muslim problem in French schools even tho this is completely contradicted by reality.

Object

  • bennett: Em skills in to two supremely to contradict bennett speculate about possible.
  • assertion: There is nothing in Paul's writings that really contradicts the assertion.
  • rhetoric: This authoritarian methodology clearly contradicted the libertarian rhetoric within Deleuze and Guattari's writings.
  • notion: There are very few in the public limelight willing to contradict the implausible notion of a house price plateau.
  • assumption: Both surveys have consistently contradicted assumptions about low levels of involvement of young people.
  • hypothesis: The first alternative contradicts the hypothesis, the second involves, to put it mildly, a serious anachronism.

Used with why or when

what: The comments may even contradict what a previous referee has said.

Preposition: by

  • fact: You say my position is contradicted by many facts, then claim that despite all these facts they are not worth presenting.
  • evidence: Mr Oliver gave clear and unambiguous advice about that which has not been contradicted by any other evidence.
  • research: IN TEXT Smith [ 8 ] argued that... but this is contradicted by more recent research [ 9-15 ] .

Modifying Another Word

  • flatly: We know of early Christian writings that flatly contradict the Gospel stories.
  • directly: His report directly contradicted what his colleague had said a year earlier.
  • seemingly: Trescothick's explanation seemingly contradicts England's guarded explanation after he made a tearful exit from the India tour nearly seven weeks ago.
  • apparently: The risen Jesus was not as he was, thus apparently contradicting the gospels.
  • completely: Oh no, I am about to completely contradict myself.
  • totally: This of course totally contradicts his previous advice to the trustees.