contradictory
C1Formal, academic, analytical
Definition
Meaning
Containing or characterized by contradiction; mutually opposed or inconsistent.
Involving statements, claims, or arguments that are logically incompatible, such that if one is true the other must be false. Can also describe a person habitually inclined to argue or deny opposing views.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily describes a relationship between two or more propositions, ideas, or pieces of information. Can also function as a noun ('a contradictory') meaning a proposition or person that contradicts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Minor stylistic preference in British English for 'contradictory' in formal legal/philosophical contexts, while American English may use it slightly more in general analytical writing.
Connotations
Neutral-logical in both variants. Carries a formal, precise connotation.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English corpora, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be contradictory to + NPfind + NP + contradictoryprove contradictoryVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Contradiction in terms' (related idiom, but 'contradictory' itself is not typically used in fixed idioms)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe conflicting market reports, inconsistent financial data, or opposing strategic advice.
Academic
Central to philosophy, logic, and critical analysis; describes opposing theories, evidence, or premises.
Everyday
Used to describe confusing or opposing advice, mixed messages, or inconsistent behavior from people.
Technical
In logic, refers to propositions that cannot both be true under the same interpretation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The witness's evidence was completely contradictory, which undermined the prosecution's case.
- His public speeches and private memos are often contradictory on key policies.
American English
- The two studies came to contradictory conclusions about the drug's effectiveness.
- She gave contradictory instructions, so we weren't sure which procedure to follow.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The news reports were contradictory, so I didn't know what to believe.
- My parents gave me contradictory advice about university.
- The defendant's alibi was contradicted by CCTV footage, making his story seem contradictory.
- The government's policy seems contradictory: it promotes green energy but also subsidises fossil fuels.
- The philosophical texts present a series of contradictory theses that the reader must reconcile.
- Her actions, though seemingly contradictory, were all part of a coherent long-term strategy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a person shaking their head 'NO' while saying 'YES' – their actions and words are CONTRADICTORY.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPOSITION IS CONTRADICTION (e.g., 'at opposite ends of the spectrum'), LOGICAL RELATIONS ARE SPATIAL RELATIONS (e.g., 'cannot stand together').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from Russian 'противоречивый' when it implies 'controversial' or 'debatable'. 'Contradictory' is more about logical inconsistency than general disagreement.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'contradictory' as a synonym for 'opposite' without the logical incompatibility element. Confusing it with 'controversial' (which involves dispute, not necessarily logical opposition).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'contradictory' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Opposite' describes a direct reversal (e.g., hot/cold). 'Contradictory' specifically describes a logical relationship where two statements cannot both be true. All contradictory pairs are opposites in a logical sense, but not all opposites are contradictory in every context.
Yes, it can describe a person who frequently says things that oppose what they've said before, or whose actions conflict with their words. (e.g., 'He's so contradictory; he advocates for peace but invests in arms companies.')
'Contradictory' things cannot logically coexist. 'Paradoxical' things appear contradictory or absurd but may reveal a deeper truth upon examination. A paradox often seems contradictory but isn't necessarily logically invalid.
The primary noun is 'contradiction'. 'Contradictory' can also function as a noun (e.g., 'He is a contradictory'), but this is less common and more formal.
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