contrary, perverse, restive, balky, wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control. contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept orders or advice.

CONTRARY definition: opposite in nature or character; diametrically or mutually opposed. See examples of contrary used in a sentence.

CONTRARY definition: 1. the opposite: 2. used to show that you think or feel the opposite of what has just been stated…. Learn more.

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

Definition of contrary adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Contrary, adverse both describe something that opposes. Contrary conveys an idea of something impersonal and objective whose opposition happens to be unfavorable: contrary winds.

Dec 14, 2025 · contrary (comparative more contrary, superlative most contrary) Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse. quotations

Use contrary when two things are exactly opposite or entirely different. If something is contrary to something else, it is opposed to or against it.

Ideas, attitudes, or reactions that are contrary to each other are completely different from each other.

CONTRARY meaning: 1 : used to state that the opposite of what was said before is true; 2 : an opposite or different fact, event, or situation