contradict
/ˌkɒn.trəˈdɪkt/- 1.
To say or claim the opposite of what someone else has said. If you contradict a person, you tell them their statement is wrong by saying something that directly goes against it.
- The new report contradicts the government's earlier claims about the economy.
- She contradicted her manager in front of the whole team.
- Don't contradict me — I was there and I saw what happened.
- 2.
When two facts, statements, or pieces of evidence are in conflict with each other, they contradict each other. Neither can be true at the same time.
- The two witnesses' accounts completely contradict each other.
- His actions contradict everything he said about honesty.
Adinary Nuance
Contradict is sharper and more direct than its near-neighbors. To deny something means to say it is not true, but to contradict means to actively assert the opposite — it implies a direct clash between two statements. Refute goes further: it means to disprove something with evidence, so "refute" is stronger and more final than "contradict." Challenge is softer — you can challenge an idea by questioning it without fully contradicting it. If you want the most precise, academically neutral word for stating that two things cannot both be true, "contradict" is usually the best fit.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phản bác
- Spanish
- contradecir
- Chinese
- 反驳
- Japanese
- 矛盾する
- Korean
- 반박하다
Etymology
From Latin "contradicere," meaning "to speak against" — built from "contra" (against) and "dicere" (to say). The word entered English in the late 16th century, primarily through academic and legal writing.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'contradict' and 'deny'?
- 'Deny' means to say something is not true or did not happen. 'Contradict' means to say the opposite of what someone else has stated. You can deny an accusation, but you contradict a claim — there is a direct clash between two statements.
- Is 'contradict' formal or informal?
- 'Contradict' sits in the middle — it is common in academic writing, IELTS essays, and professional discussions, but it is not stiff or overly formal. You can also use it in everyday conversation without sounding awkward.
- What does it mean to 'contradict yourself'?
- It means you have said two things that cannot both be true. For example, if you first say you love spicy food and then say you never eat it, you are contradicting yourself.
- Is 'contradict' a good word to use in IELTS writing?
- Yes, it is an excellent choice for IELTS. It is precise, academic in register, and shows you can discuss conflicting evidence clearly — which is exactly what high-band IELTS writing requires.