What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contrariously
Example
Contrariously, he refused to follow the instructions given by his boss. [contrariously: adverb]
Example
She behaved contrariously, doing the exact opposite of what her parents told her to do. [contrariously: adverb]
contrarily
Example
Contrarily, I believe that we should invest more in renewable energy sources. [contrarily: adverb]
Example
Contrarily to what we thought, the project was completed ahead of schedule. [contrarily: preposition]
Example
Contrarily to popular belief, not all teenagers are obsessed with social media. [contrarily: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contrarily is more commonly used than contrariously in everyday language. Contrarily is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while contrariously is less common and may be perceived as more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contrariously and contrarily?
Both contrarily and contrariously can be used in formal and informal contexts, but contrariously may be perceived as more formal or literary due to its less frequent usage.
