contrary

con·trar·y  (kntrr)

adj.

1. Opposed, as in character or purpose: contrary opinions; acts that are contrary to our code of ethics.

2. Opposite in direction or position: Our boat took a course contrary to theirs. See Synonyms at opposite.

3. Music Moving in the opposite direction at a fixed interval: playing scales in contrary motion.

4. Adverse; unfavorable: a contrary wind.

5. also (kn-trâr) Given to recalcitrant behavior; willful or perverse.

n. pl. con·trar·ies

1. Something that is opposite or contrary.

2. Either of two opposing or contrary things: "Truth is perhaps . . . a dynamic compound of opposites, savage contraries for a moment conjoined" A. Bartlett Giamatti.

3. Logic A proposition related to another in such a way that if the latter is true, the former must be false, but if the latter is false, the former is not necessarily true.

adv.

In an opposite direction or manner; counter: The judge ruled contrary to all precedent in the case.

Idioms:

by contraries Obsolete

In opposition to what is expected.

on the contrary

In opposition to what has been stated or what is expected: I'm not sick; on the contrary, I'm in the peak of health.

to the contrary

To the opposite effect from what has been stated or what is expected: Despite what you say to the contary, this contract is fair.

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[Middle English contrarie, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin contrrius : contr, against; see kom in Indo-European roots + -rius, -ary.]

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contrari·ly (kntrr--l, kn-trâr-) adv.

contrari·ness n.

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contrary

Noun

pl -ries

on or to the contrary in opposition to what has just been said or implied

Adjective

1. opposed; completely different: a contrary view, based on equally good information

2. perverse; obstinate

3. (of the wind) unfavourable

Adverb

contrary to

1. in opposition or contrast to: contrary to popular belief

2. in conflict with: contrary to nature [Latin contrarius opposite]

contrariness n

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	contrary - a relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true" reverse, opposite oppositeness, opposition - the relation between opposed entities
	2.	contrary - exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty" oppositeness, opposition - the relation between opposed entities
	3.	contrary - a logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false logical relation - a relation between propositions
Adj.	1.	contrary - very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a contrary conclusion" different - unlike in nature or quality or form or degree; "took different approaches to the problem"; "came to a different conclusion"; "different parts of the country"; "on different sides of the issue"; "this meeting was different from the earlier one"
	2.	contrary - of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms" antonymous - of words: having opposite meanings
	3.	contrary - resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior" wayward, perverse, obstinate disobedient - not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority; "disobedient children"
	4.	contrary - in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary wind" adverse unfavorable, unfavourable - (of winds or weather) tending to hinder or oppose; "unfavorable winds"

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contrary

adjective 1. opposite, different, opposed, clashing, counter, reverse, differing, adverse, contradictory, inconsistent, diametrically opposed, antithetical << OPPOSITE in agreement

adjective 2. perverse, difficult, awkward, wayward, intractable, wilful, obstinate, cussed (informal) stroppy Brit. (slang) cantankerous, disobliging, unaccommodating, thrawn Scot., Northern English (dialect) << OPPOSITE cooperative

noun 3. opposite, reverse, converse, antithesis >> on the contrary quite the opposite or reverse, on the other hand, in contrast, conversely

Translations

contrary [ˈkɔntrərɪ] adj (= opposite, different) → contrario [kənˈtrɛərɪ] (= perverse) → terco

n on the contrary → al contrario;

unless you hear to the contrary → a no ser que le digan lo contrario;

contrary to what we thought → al contrario de lo que pensábamos

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contrary¹ [ˈkɔntrərɪ] adj → contraire, opposé(e)

n → contraire m;

on the contrary → au contraire;

unless you hear to the contrary → sauf avis contraire;

contrary to what we thought → contrairement à ce que nous pensions

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contrary² [kənˈtrɛərɪ] adj (= perverse) → contrariant(e) → entêté(e)

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contrary¹ [ˈkɔntrərɪ] adj → entgegengesetzt;

(ideas, opinions) → gegensätzlich;

(unfavourable) → widrig

n → Gegenteil nt;

contrary to what we thought → im Gegensatz zu dem, was wir dachten;

on the contrary → im Gegenteil;

unless you hear to the contrary → sofern Sie nichts Gegenteiliges hören

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contrary² [kənˈtrɛərɪ] adj → widerspenstig

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contrary [ˈkɔntrərɪ] adj → contrario/a (= unfavourable); avverso/a, contrario/a [kənˈtrɛərɪ] (= perverse) → bisbetico/a

n → contrario;

on the contrary → al contrario;

unless you hear to the contrary → a meno che non si disdica;

contrary to what we thought → a differenza di or contrariamente a quanto pensavamo