verb (used with object)
- to assert the contrary or opposite of; deny directly and categorically.
- to speak contrary to the assertions of: to contradict oneself.
- (of an action or event) to imply a denial of: His way of life contradicts his stated principles.
- Obsolete. to speak or declare against; oppose.
verb (used without object)
- to utter a contrary statement.
verb
- (tr) to affirm the opposite of (a proposition, statement, etc)
- (tr) to declare (a proposition, statement, etc) to be false or incorrect; deny
- (intr) to be argumentative or contrary
- (tr) to be inconsistent with (a proposition, theory, etc)the facts contradicted his theory
- (intr) (of two or more facts, principles, etc) to be at variance; be in contradiction
v.1570s, “speak against,” also “assert the contrary” (1580s), from Latin contradictus, past participle of contradicere (see contradiction). Related: Contradicted; contradicting; contradictive.