contradiction
noun
con·tra·dic·tion
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-shən 
1
: act or an instance of contradicting
the defendant's contradiction of the plaintiff's accusations
2
a
: a proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts or implies both the truth and falsity of something
… both parts of a contradiction cannot possibly be true …—
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes
b
: a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other
a round square is a contradiction in terms
3
a
: logical incongruity
b
: a situation in which inherent factors, actions, or propositions are inconsistent or contrary to one another
Examples of contradiction in a Sentence
No one was surprised by the defendant's contradiction of the plaintiff's accusations.
Her rebuttal contained many contradictions to my arguments.
There have been some contradictions in his statements.
There is a contradiction between what he said yesterday and what he said today.
Her statements are mired in contradiction.
What he said yesterday is in direct contradiction to what he said today.
Recent Examples on the Web
Below are three key takeaways from this growing contradiction.
—Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The Immigration and Naturalization Act that is the governing law of the US immigration system includes all sorts of contradictions.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration has not really faced or sought to resolve the fundamental contradiction delaying serious peace talks: Netanyahu insists that any cease-fire process must end in the dismantling of Hamas.
—Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025
The Times spoke with some of these business owners, who said their desire to provide for their community was often in direct contradiction to business operations.
—Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contradiction
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Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The Immigration and Naturalization Act that is the governing law of the US immigration system includes all sorts of contradictions.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration has not really faced or sought to resolve the fundamental contradiction delaying serious peace talks: Netanyahu insists that any cease-fire process must end in the dismantling of Hamas.
—Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025
The Times spoke with some of these business owners, who said their desire to provide for their community was often in direct contradiction to business operations.
—Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contradiction
Cite this Entry
“Contradiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradiction. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contradiction
noun
con·tra·dic·tion
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-shən
1
: something (as a statement) that contradicts something else
2
: a condition in which things oppose each other
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