contradictory
/,kɔntrə'diktəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Mutually opposed or inconsistent: Describes two or more things that cannot both be true or exist simultaneously because they directly oppose each other.
- Involving or containing a contradiction: Characterized by elements that are logically incompatible or in conflict.
- Given to contradiction: (Less common) Inclined to argue or disagree.
Noun:
- A contradictory proposition: In logic, one of a pair of propositions where both cannot be true and both cannot be false at the same time.
Usage and Examples
- Adjective:
- The witness gave contradictory testimony, first saying he saw the suspect and then claiming he did not.
- His actions are contradictory to his stated principles.
- The two studies produced contradictory results.
- Noun:
- In formal logic, "The door is open" and "The door is not open" are contradictories.
Advanced Usage
- Mutually contradictory: Emphasizes that two or more statements or facts cannot coexist.
- The suspect's alibi and the security footage are mutually contradictory.
- Inherently contradictory: Describes something that contains a contradiction within its own nature or definition.
- The concept of a "square circle" is inherently contradictory.
Variants and Related Words
- Contradict (verb): To assert the opposite of a statement or deny its truth.
- The new evidence contradicts the initial hypothesis.
- Contradiction (noun): A combination of statements, ideas, or features that are opposed to one another.
- There is a clear contradiction between his words and his actions.
Synonyms
- Inconsistent
- Incompatible
- Opposing
- Conflicting
- Paradoxical (when the contradiction seems surprising or self-defeating)
Antonyms
- Consistent
- Compatible
- Harmonious
- Corroborative
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A contradiction in terms: A phrase that combines words with opposite meanings, an oxymoron.
- "Jumbo shrimp" is often cited as a contradiction in terms.
- To be full of contradictions: To have many conflicting aspects or qualities.
- His personality is full of contradictions; he is both generous and miserly.
Adjective
- unable to be both true at the same time
- in disagreement
- the figures are at odds with our findings
- contradictory attributes of unjust justice and loving vindictiveness- John Morley
- that confounds or contradicts or confuses
- of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true and both cannot be false
- `perfect' and `imperfect' are contradictory terms
Noun
- two propositions are contradictories if both cannot be true (or both cannot be false) at the same time