Contradiction
/ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsA combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another.
/ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən/
A statement that opposes another statement.
His statement contained a clear contradiction.
💡 Simply: It's when two things can't both be true at the same time. Like, if someone says they love ice cream but also says they never eat dessert, that's a contradiction!
👶 For kids: When someone says something that doesn't make sense because it's the opposite of what they said before.
More Examples
There is a contradiction between the company's stated goals and their actual practices.
The lawyer pointed out the contradiction in the witness's testimony.
The new evidence revealed a contradiction in the original report.
How It's Used
"The argument contained a fundamental contradiction."
"Her actions were in direct contradiction to her words."
The act of saying or expressing the opposite of something said by another person.
/ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən/
A statement that says the opposite of what someone else has said.
He could not bear any contradiction.
💡 Simply: It's like when you disagree with someone and tell them they are wrong. For example, if someone says 'It's sunny outside,' and you say 'No, it's raining,' that's a contradiction.
👶 For kids: When you say something that is the opposite of what someone else said.
More Examples
Her assertion was met with contradiction.
The judge interrupted the lawyer to make a contradiction to his statement.
How It's Used
"She responded to his argument with a sharp contradiction."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
in contradiction to
Opposing or conflicting with something.
"The company's actions are in contradiction to their stated environmental policies."
a bundle of contradictions
A person whose actions or beliefs are inconsistent.
"He's a bundle of contradictions, loving both luxury and simple living."
From Latin contradictio, from contradictus, past participle of contradicere ('to speak against').
Used in philosophical and legal texts for centuries, highlighting logical inconsistencies.
Memory tip
Think of a 'contra' (against) 'diction' (words).
Word Origin
"speak against"