What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contralateral
Example
The stroke affected his contralateral arm and leg. [contralateral: adjective]
Example
The pain in her left arm was caused by a contralateral injury. [contralateral: noun]
opposite
Example
The store is located on the opposite side of the street. [opposite: preposition]
Example
Her opinion is completely opposite to mine. [opposite: adjective]
Example
He turned left instead of right, going in the opposite direction. [opposite: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Opposite is much more commonly used than contralateral in everyday language, due to its versatility and broader range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contralateral and opposite?
Contralateral is more formal than opposite, due to its technical and scientific connotations.
