something contrary or opposite; either of two contrary things.
prep.
contrary to,[~ + to + object] in opposition; in an opposite manner or way; counter: to act contrary to one's principles.
Idioms
Idiomson the contrary, [uncountable] (used after some other statement) in opposition to what has been stated:"You'll be home at five.'' "On the contrary, I'll be lucky to get home by ten.''
Idiomsto the contrary, [uncountable] to the opposite effect:I do care, whatever you may say to the contrary.
con•trar•y(kon′trer ē; for 5 also kən trâr′ē),USA pronunciationadj., n., pl.-trar•ies,adv., adj.
opposite in nature or character; diametrically or mutually opposed:contrary to fact; contrary propositions.
opposite in direction or position:departures in contrary directions.
being the opposite one of two:I will make the contrary choice.
unfavorable or adverse.
perverse; stubbornly opposed or willful.
n.
something that is contrary or opposite:to prove the contrary of a statement.
either of two contrary things.
Philosophy[Logic.]a proposition so related to another proposition that both may not be true though both may be false, as with the propositions "All judges are male'' and "No judges are male.''
Idiomsby contraries, contrary to expectation.
Idiomson the contrary:
in opposition to what has been stated.
from another point of view:On the contrary, there may be some who would agree with you.
Idiomsto the contrary:
to the opposite effect:I believe he is innocent, whatever they may say to the contrary.
to a different effect.
adv.
in opposition; oppositely; counter:to act contrary to one's own principles.
Latin contrārius. See contra-1, -ary
Anglo-French
Middle English contrarie 1200–50
con′trar•i•ly(kon′trer ə lē, kən trâr′-),USA pronunciationadv.con′trar•i•ness, n.
1. contradictory, conflicting, counter. See opposite.4. unfriendly, hostile. Contrary,adverse both describe something that opposes. Contrary conveys an idea of something impersonal and objective whose opposition happens to be unfavorable:contrary winds.Adverse suggests something more personally unfriendly or even hostile; it emphasizes the idea of the resulting misfortune to that which is opposed:The judge rendered a decision adverse to the defendant.5. intractable, obstinate, headstrong, stubborn, pig-headed.
(of plant parts) situated at right angles to each other
(of a pair of propositions) related so that they cannot both be true at once, although they may both be false together Comparesubcontrary, contradictory
n (pl-ries)
the exact opposite (esp in the phrase to the contrary)
on the contrary ⇒ quite the reverse; not at all
either of two exactly opposite objects, facts, or qualities
adv (usually followed by to)
in an opposite or unexpected way: contrary to usual belief
in conflict (with) or contravention (of): contrary to nature
Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin contrārius opposite, from contrā againstconˈtrarinessn
'contrary' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):