contraries — things that are opposite in nature, tendency, or direction; contradictory statements or ideas
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: things that are opposite in nature, tendency, or direction; contradictory statements or ideas
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɑːntreriz/
Example Sentences
- My cat exhibits perfect contraries: it desperately wants to go outside, but once outside, it immediately wants to come back in.
- The philosopher spent years trying to reconcile the contraries of free will and determinism.
- In marketing, they used contraries like 'jumbo shrimp' and 'deafening silence' to create memorable slogans.
contraries
NOUN[/ˈkɑːntreriz/]
things that are opposite in nature, tendency, or direction; contradictory statements or ideas
a traffic officer stands with arms stretched in opposite directions, one hand stopping cars from the north while the other waves through cars from the east. The northbound vehicles pile up behind his stop gesture while eastbound traffic flows freely past his directing wave. This creates two completely opposite traffic patterns happening simultaneously at the same intersection. Frustrated drivers in the stopped cars honk while drivers in the moving lane smile and wave gratefully. things that are opposite in nature and direction occurring at the same time and place
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'contrarius' meaning 'opposite' or 'against,' derived from 'contra' meaning 'against' or 'opposite to.' The word entered English in the 14th century.
Breakdown
contra- (against/opposite) + -arius (Latin adjective suffix meaning 'relating to') → contraries (plural form)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat exhibits perfect contraries: it desperately wants to go outside, but once outside, it immediately wants to come back in.”
“The philosopher spent years trying to reconcile the contraries of free will and determinism.”
“In marketing, they used contraries like 'jumbo shrimp' and 'deafening silence' to create memorable slogans.”
“The debate focused on the contraries between individual freedom and collective responsibility.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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