Contradict Meaning
/ˌkɒn.tɹəˈdɪkt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo deny the truth or validity of (a statement or statements).
verbTo oppose (a person) by denying the truth or pertinence of a given statement.
Sentence Examples
The results will not contradict the theory.
No one dares to contradict his employer for fear of being fired.
Tom and Mary contradict each other all the time.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
His later statements completely ____ what he had said earlier in court.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The results will not ____ the theory.
Word Origin & History
Derived from Latin contrādictus (“contradicted”), the past participle of contrādīcō (“speak against”) (originally two words).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Day after day passed away without bringing any other tidings of him than the report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his coming no more to Netherfield the whole winter; a report which highly incensed Mrs. Bennet, and which she never failed to contradict as a most scandalous falsehood."
— 1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter 23, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC:
"I spent the whole long hike back to camp thinking about that amazing letter. It didn’t sound in the least like anything he had ever said in class. Oh, I don’t mean it contradicted anything he had told us in class; it was just entirely different in tone."
— 1959, Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers, New York: Ace Books, published 2006, page 97:
"Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself,
And say it is not so."
— c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:
"[…] all these people having deservedly the reputation of good sense, penetration, and so-forth, I cannot contradict them with credit to myself."
— 1753, Samuel Richardson, The History of Sir Charles Grandison, London, Volume 5, Letter 17, p. 113:
"“I always contradict my husband when he says that,” said Mrs. Thornbury sweetly. “You men! Where would you be if it weren’t for the women!”"
— 1915, Virginia Woolf, chapter 15, in The Voyage Out, New York: George H. Doran, published 1920, page 199:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
His later statements completely ____ what he had said earlier in court.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The results will not ____ the theory.