What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
opposing
Example
The opposing teams had different strategies for winning the game. [opposing: adjective]
Example
He was opposing the new policy because he believed it would have negative consequences. [opposing: verb]
contrary
Example
Her opinion was contrary to mine, but we still respected each other's views. [contrary: adjective]
Example
Contrary to popular belief, not all snakes are venomous. [contrary: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contrary is more commonly used than opposing in everyday language. Contrary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while opposing is less common and is typically used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between opposing and contrary?
Both opposing and contrary can be used in formal and informal contexts, but opposing may be more appropriate in more formal situations where precision of language is important.
