MW→tailor

tailor

EnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary

mpatible with another : opposite —usually used with the

one of a pair of opposites

a proposition so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true

plural contraries

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

a fact or condition incompatible with another opposite —usually used with the
one of a pair of opposites
logic a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 2a) so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true
— compare subcontrary
either of two terms (such as good and evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject

by contraries
obsolete in a manner opposite to what is logical or expected
on the contrary
just the opposite //The test will not be easy; on the contrary, it will be extremely difficult.
to the contrary
- on the contrary
- notwithstanding

adjective

con·trary

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē sense 4 often kən-ˈtrer-ē

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

being so different as to be at opposite extremes opposite //come to the contrary conclusion //went off in contrary directions
also being opposite to or in conflict with each other //contrary viewpoints
being not in conformity with what is usual or expected //actions contrary to company policy //contrary evidence
unfavorable —used of wind or weather
temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice

adverb

con·trary

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē also kən-ˈtrer-ē

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

contrariwise, contrarily

Other Words

Adjective

contrarily ˈkän-ˌtrer-ə-lē kən-ˈtrer- adverb
contrariness ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē-nəs kən-ˈtrer- noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

antipode antithesis counter negative obverse opposite reverse

Synonyms: Adjective

antipodal antipodean antithetical contradictory diametric (or diametrical) opposite polar

Antonyms: Adjective

noncontradictory

Examples

Noun

//the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love

Adjective

//The sisters gave contrary answers: one said “yes” and one said “no.”
//We had contrary opinions on the issue.
//Without contrary evidence, the jury will find her guilty.
//The boat sailed against a contrary wind.
//Contrary weather impeded the rescue efforts.

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

Noun

Adjective

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 entry 2 — more at contra-

Adverb

Middle English contrarie "on the contrary" (as translation of Latin ē contrāriōmpatible with another : opposite —usually used with the
one of a pair of opposites
a proposition so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true

plural contraries

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

a fact or condition incompatible with another opposite —usually used with the
one of a pair of opposites
logic a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 2a) so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true
— compare subcontrary
either of two terms (such as good and evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject

by contraries
obsolete in a manner opposite to what is logical or expected
on the contrary
just the opposite //The test will not be easy; on the contrary, it will be extremely difficult.
to the contrary
on the contrary
notwithstanding

adjective

con·trary

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē sense 4 often kən-ˈtrer-ē

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

being so different as to be at opposite extremes opposite //come to the contrary conclusion //went off in contrary directions
also being opposite to or in conflict with each other //contrary viewpoints
being not in conformity with what is usual or expected //actions contrary to company policy //contrary evidence
unfavorable —used of wind or weather
temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice

adverb

con·trary

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē also kən-ˈtrer-ē

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

contrariwise, contrarily

Other Words

Adjective

contrarily ˈkän-ˌtrer-ə-lē kən-ˈtrer- adverb
contrariness ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē-nəs kən-ˈtrer- noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

antipode antithesis counter negative obverse opposite reverse
Synonyms: Adjective
antipodal antipodean antithetical contradictory diametric (or diametrical) opposite polar
Antonyms: Adjective
noncontradictory

Examples

Noun

//the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love

Adjective

//The sisters gave contrary answers: one said “yes” and one said “no.”
//We had contrary opinions on the issue.
//Without contrary evidence, the jury will find her guilty.
//The boat sailed against a contrary wind.
//Contrary weather impeded the rescue efforts.

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

Noun

Middle English contrarie "the opposite, antithesis," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin contrārium, noun derivative from neuter of Latin contrārius "opposite, opposing" — more at contrary entry 2
Adjective
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 entry 2 — more at contra-
Adverb
Middle English contrarie "on the contrary" (as translation of Latin ē contrāriōmpatible with another : opposite —usually used with the
one of a pair of opposites
a proposition so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true

plural contraries

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

a fact or condition incompatible with another opposite —usually used with the
one of a pair of opposites
logic a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 2a) so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true
— compare subcontrary
either of two terms (such as good and evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject

by contraries
obsolete in a manner opposite to what is logical or expected
on the contrary
just the opposite //The test will not be easy; on the contrary, it will be extremely difficult.
to the contrary
on the contrary
notwithstanding

adjective

con·trary

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē sense 4 often kən-ˈtrer-ē

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

being so different as to be at opposite extremes opposite //come to the contrary conclusion //went off in contrary directions
also being opposite to or in conflict with each other //contrary viewpoints
being not in conformity with what is usual or expected //actions contrary to company policy //contrary evidence
unfavorable —used of wind or weather
temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice

adverb

con·trary

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē also kən-ˈtrer-ē

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

contrariwise, contrarily

Other Words

Adjective

contrarily ˈkän-ˌtrer-ə-lē kən-ˈtrer- adverb
contrariness ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē-nəs kən-ˈtrer- noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

Examples

Noun

//the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love

Adjective

//The sisters gave contrary answers: one said “yes” and one said “no.”
//We had contrary opinions on the issue.
//Without contrary evidence, the jury will find her guilty.
//The boat sailed against a contrary wind.
//Contrary weather impeded the rescue efforts.

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

Noun

plural contraries

Definition (Entry 1 of 3)

a fact or condition incompatible with another opposite —usually used with the
one of a pair of opposites
logic a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 2a) so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true
— compare subcontrary
either of two terms (such as good and evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject

by contraries
obsolete in a manner opposite to what is logical or expected
on the contrary
just the opposite //The test will not be easy; on the contrary, it will be extremely difficult.
to the contrary
on the contrary
notwithstanding

adjective

con·trary

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē sense 4 often kən-ˈtrer-ē

Definition (Entry 2 of 3)

being so different as to be at opposite extremes opposite //come to the contrary conclusion //went off in contrary directions
also being opposite to or in conflict with each other //contrary viewpoints
being not in conformity with what is usual or expected //actions contrary to company policy //contrary evidence
unfavorable —used of wind or weather
temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice

adverb

con·trary

ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē -ˌtre-rē also kən-ˈtrer-ē

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

contrariwise, contrarily

Other Words

Adjective

contrarily ˈkän-ˌtrer-ə-lē kən-ˈtrer- adverb
contrariness ˈkän-ˌtrer-ē-nəs kən-ˈtrer- noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

Examples

Noun

//the admonition that we should not return hate with hate, but rather with its contrary—love

Adjective

//The sisters gave contrary answers: one said “yes” and one said “no.”
//We had contrary opinions on the issue.
//Without contrary evidence, the jury will find her guilty.
//The boat sailed against a contrary wind.
//Contrary weather impeded the rescue efforts.

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology

Noun