contradict
[ kon-truh-dikt ]
/ ˌkɒn trəˈdɪkt /
verb (used with object)
to assert the contrary or opposite of; deny directly and categorically.
to speak contrary to the assertions of: to contradict oneself.
(of an action or event) to imply a denial of: His way of life contradicts his stated principles.
Obsolete.
to speak or declare against; oppose.
verb (used without object)
to utter a contrary statement.
Origin of contradict
1560–70; < Latin
contrādictus (past participle of
contrādīcere to gainsay), equivalent to
contrā-
contra-1 +
dic- (variant stem of
dīcere to speak) +
-tus past participle suffix
SYNONYMS FOR contradict
synonym study for contradict
1, 2. See
deny.
OTHER WORDS FROM contradict
Words nearby contradict
Example sentences from the Web for contradict
British Dictionary definitions for contradict
contradict
/ (ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt) /
verb
(tr)
to affirm the opposite of (a proposition, statement, etc)
(tr)
to declare (a proposition, statement, etc) to be false or incorrect; deny
(intr)
to be argumentative or contrary
(tr)
to be inconsistent with (a proposition, theory, etc)
the facts contradicted his theory
(intr)
(of two or more facts, principles, etc) to be at variance; be in contradiction
Derived forms of contradict
Word Origin for contradict
C16: from Latin
contrādīcere, from
contra- +
dīcere to speak, say