Contrarily — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē/ con·trary

Meaning & Definition of Contrarily

Contrarily (adjective)

  1. being so different as to be at opposite extremes, opposite; also, being opposite to or in conflict with each other
  2. being not in conformity with what is usual or expected
  3. unfavorable —used of wind or weather

Contrarily (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. just the opposite being true

    "contrarily, the most authentic novel about the American Civil War was written by someone born six years after it had ended"

    similar: again, contrariwise, conversely, if anything, on the contrary, to the contrary
    near: even, indeed, nay, true, truly, verily, yea

Related Entry: Contrary (adjective)

Contrary is a different word from Contrarily. The synonyms below are for contrary, not for contrarily.

  1. being as different as possible

    "the other jurors seemed sure the defendant was guilty, but I came to the contrary conclusion"

    similar: antipodal, antipodean, antithetical, contradictory, diametric, opposite, polar
    related: adverse, negative, unfavorable, antagonistic, antipathetic, counter, cross, hostile, converse, inverse, obverse, reverse, alien, disparate, dissimilar, divergent, unalike, unlike
    opposite: noncontradictory
    near: alike, analogous, like, similar, equivalent, identical, same, synonymous

  2. engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior

    "a contrary child who wouldn't behave"

    similar: bad, errant, froward, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty
    related: defiant, disrespectful, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impolite, improper, impudent, indecorous, insolent, rude, uncouth, unmannerly, disobedient, headstrong, intractable, obstreperous, recalcitrant, refractory, transgressing, unruly, untoward, willful, balky, restive, uncontrollable, ungovernable, wayward, wild, arch, elfish, impish, knavish, monkeying, monkeyish, ornery, pixieish, prankish, rascally, roguish, waggish, dissolute, perverse, wrongheaded, disorderly, rowdy, ruffianly, corrupt, evil, wicked, insurgent, mutinous, rebellious, disobliging, inconsiderate, selfish, thoughtless, unkind, unkindly, babyish, childish, immature, infantile, jejune, juvenile, kiddish, puerile
    opposite: behaved, behaving, nice, orderly
    near: acquiescent, compliant, complying, dutiful, obedient, submissive, clean, correct, decent, decorous, moral, proper, respectable, considerate, courteous, kindly, mannerly, polite, thoughtful, angelic, cherubic, divine, heavenly, amenable, docile, governable, tractable, amiable, complaisant, good-natured, obliging, pleasant, discreet, modest, adult, grown-up, mature

  3. given to resisting authority or another's control

    "the contrary soldier is facing a court-martial for insubordination"

    similar: balky, contumacious, defiant, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, recusant, refractory, restive, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful
    related: noncooperative, uncooperative, insurgent, mutinous, adamant, adamantine, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, negativistic, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, fractious, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild, perverse, resistant, wrongheaded, bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, monkeying, monkeyish, naughty, undisciplined, dissident, nonconformist, discourteous, disrespectful, ill-bred, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impertinent, impolite, impudent, inconsiderate, insolent, ornery, rude, uncivil, uncouth, ungracious, unmannerly
    opposite: amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable
    near: acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, cooperative, deferential, obliging, yielding, behaved, disciplined, well-bred, courteous, polite, respectful, kowtowing, obsequious, servile, slavish, subservient, decorous, mannerly, orderly, proper, controllable, governable, manageable, trainable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Contrarily

The most common words with a similar meaning to Contrarily:

again, contrariwise, conversely, if anything, on the contrary, to the contrary

Near Antonyms of Contrarily

even, indeed, nay, true, truly, verily, yea

Word Forms of Contrarily

Derived words: contrarily (adverb), contrariness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Contrarily

Middle English contrarie "(of a pair) opposed, opposite, discordant, unfavorable, antagonistic," borrowed from Anglo-French, "opposite, wrong, immoral, antagonistic," borrowed from Latin contrārius "opposite in position or kind, antithetical, opposing, adverse, hostile," from contrā, adverb & preposition, "opposite, facing, against" + -ārius -ary:2 contra-

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Contrarily

What does "Contrarily" mean?

"Contrarily" means being so different as to be at opposite extremes, opposite; also, being opposite to or in conflict with each other. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: being so different as to be at opposite extremes, opposite; also, being opposite to or in conflict with each other.

What is another word for "Contrarily"?

Other words for "Contrarily" include again, contrariwise, conversely, if anything, on the contrary and to the contrary. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Contrarily" you intend.

How do you use "Contrarily" in a sentence?

Examples of "Contrarily" in a sentence: "contrarily, the most authentic novel about the American Civil War was written by someone born six years after it had ended".

Is "Contrarily" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Contrarily" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Contrarily"?

"Contrarily" is pronounced /ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē/ and divided into syllables as con·trary.

What is the origin of the word "Contrarily"?

"Contrarily" comes from Middle English contrarie "(of a pair) opposed, opposite, discordant, unfavorable, antagonistic," borrowed from Anglo-French, "opposite, wrong, immoral, antagonistic," borrowed from Latin contrārius "opposite in position or kind, antithetical, opposing, adverse, hostile," from contrā, adverb & preposition, "opposite, facing, against" + -ārius -ary:2 contra-. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Contrarily" meaning "just the opposite being true"?

When "Contrarily" (adverb) means just the opposite being true, synonyms include again, contrariwise, conversely, if anything, on the contrary and to the contrary.

What words are derived from "Contrarily"?

Words derived from "Contrarily" include contrarily (adverb) and contrariness (noun).