contradiction Definition
- 1a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another
- 2a situation in which inconsistent elements are present
Using contradiction: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "contradiction" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
There is a contradiction between what he says and what he does.
Example
The witness gave contradictory evidence in court.
Example
The policy is full of contradictions.
Example
Her behavior is a contradiction of her professed beliefs.
contradiction Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for contradiction
Antonyms for contradiction
Idioms Using contradiction
a phrase or expression that contains two or more words that contradict each other, making the phrase or expression meaningless or absurd
Example
The term 'vegetarian meatballs' is a contradiction in terms, as meatballs by definition contain meat.
an obvious and striking contradiction that is hard to ignore or explain away
Example
There is a glaring contradiction between his public statements and his private actions.
a situation where one statement or idea directly opposes or contradicts another statement or idea
Example
His testimony is in direct contradiction to the evidence presented in court.
Phrases with contradiction
a situation where two or more statements or ideas seem to be in opposition but can be reconciled upon closer examination
Example
There appears to be an apparent contradiction between the two theories, but they can be reconciled with further research.
a situation where a statement or idea contradicts itself or contains elements that are mutually exclusive
Example
The argument contains an internal contradiction, as it claims both X and not-X at the same time.
a situation where two or more statements or ideas cannot be reconciled or resolved
Example
The two theories contain irreconcilable contradictions and cannot be merged into a single framework.
Origins of contradiction
from Latin 'contradictio', meaning 'speaking against'
Summary: contradiction in Brief
A 'contradiction' [ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən] refers to a situation where opposing statements, ideas, or features are present. It can range from inconsistencies in policies to conflicting behaviors, as in 'Her behavior is a contradiction of her professed beliefs.' Phrases like 'apparent contradiction' and 'internal contradiction' describe situations where opposing elements can be reconciled or not, respectively. Idioms like 'a contradiction in terms' and 'a glaring contradiction' highlight absurd or obvious inconsistencies.
