From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcontrarycon‧tra‧ry1 /ˈkɒntrəri $ ˈkɑːntreri/ ●●○ AWL noun 1 → on the contrary/quite the contrary2 → evidence/statements etc to the contrary3 → the contrary
Examples from the Corpus
contrary• On the contrary, it liberated us.• On the contrary, they were getting better all the time.• He may also have kept the stewardship of Tottington and Rochdale, in spite of Edward's orders to the contrary.contrarycontrary2 AWL adjective 1 OPPOSITE/REVERSEcontrary ideas, opinions, or actions are completely different and opposed to each other SYN opposing Two contrary views emerged. The men shouted contrary orders.contrary to The government’s actions are contrary to the public interest.2 → contrary to popular belief/opinion3 formalHEM a contrary wind is not blowing in the direction you want to sailExamples from the Corpus
contrary• None the less, the auctioneer does not, in the absence of a contrary agreement, warrant the vendor's title.• The evaluation it is based on is that human lives are torn by contrary desires and strong aversions.• Unemployment, however, has brought about a simultaneous and contrary downward social movement.• Before 1099 he had made no difficulty about acting in a contrary sense.• "Driving Miss Daisy" is the story of a contrary Southern lady and her wise chauffeur.• This, he thought, was contrary to republican principles.• Some Congressmen are bound to express a contrary view.• Contrary weather prevented the climb.contrary to• Thompson acted contrary to his client's best interests.• Contrary to his testimony, Pierce was personally involved in the fraud.contrarycon‧tra‧ry3 /kənˈtreəri $ ˈkɑːntreri, kənˈtreri/ adjective someone who is contrary deliberately does different things from other people Evans was his usual contrary self. —contrariness noun [uncountable]Examples from the Corpus
contrary• This, he thought, was contrary to republican principles. 