Standard Lemma guide

contrarily

adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a contrary manner; in opposite ways or directions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

contrary to expectations

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he didn't stay home; on the contrary, he went out with his friends

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: to the contrary, contrariwise, on the contrary

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

in a contrary disobedient manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: perversely, contrariwise

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English contrary Middle English -ly English -ly English contrarily From contrary + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: contràriament — in a contrary manner
  • Dutch: daarentegen — in a contrary manner
  • Esperanto: kontraŭe — in a contrary manner
  • French: au contraire — in a contrary manner
  • French: contrairement (à) — in a contrary manner
  • German: dagegen — in a contrary manner
  • Polish: przeciwnie — in a contrary manner
  • Portuguese: contrariamente — in a contrary manner
  • Romanian: în mod contrar — in a contrary manner
  • Romanian: în mod invers — in a contrary manner
  • Spanish: contrariamente — in a contrary manner
  • Swedish: på motsatt sätt — in a contrary manner
  • Swedish: tvärtom — in a contrary manner