I. ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē, -ˌtre-rē noun
( plural -trar·ies )
Etymology: Middle English contrarie, from Anglo-French contraire, contrairie, from Medieval Latin contrarius, from Latin, adjective, opposite, adverse, from contra opposite
Date: 13th century
1. : a fact or condition incompatible with another : opposite — usually used with the
2. : one of a pair of opposites
3.
a. : a proposition so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true — compare subcontrary
b. : either of two terms (as good and evil ) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject
•
- by contraries
- on the contrary
- to the contrary
II. ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē, -ˌtre-rē, 4 often kən-ˈtrer-ē adjective
Date: 14th century
1. : being so different as to be at opposite extremes : opposite
come to the contrary conclusion
went off in contrary directions
also : being opposite to or in conflict with each other
contrary viewpoints
2. : being not in conformity with what is usual or expected
actions contrary to company policy
contrary evidence
3. : unfavorable — used of wind or weather
4. : temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice
• con·trari·ly -ˌtrer-ə-lē, -ˈtrer- adverb
• con·trari·ness -ˌtrer-ē-nəs, -ˈtrer- noun
Synonyms:
contrary , perverse , restive , balky , wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control. contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice
a contrary child
perverse may imply wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what is reasonable or normal
a perverse, intractable critic
restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit to discipline or follow orders
tired soldiers growing restive
balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired direction or course of action
a balky witness
wayward suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity in behavior
a school for wayward youths
Synonym: see in addition opposite .
III. same as 2 adverb
Date: 15th century
: contrariwise , contrarily