contradict

present singular third person contradicts · participle present contradicting · participle past contradicted · past contradicted

1. To deny the truth or validity of (a statement or statements).

   His testimony contradicts hers.

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   1651, Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, London: Andrew Crooke, Chapter 42 “Of Power Ecclesiasticall,” p. 270, […] the Ministers of Christ in this world, have no Power by that title, to Punish any man for not Beleeving, or for Contradicting what they say;

   Day after day passed away without bringing any other tidings of him than the report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his coming no more to Netherfield the whole winter; a report which highly incensed Mrs. Bennet, and which she never failed to contradict as a most scandalous falsehood.

   1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter 23, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC

   I spent the whole long hike back to camp thinking about that amazing letter. It didn’t sound in the least like anything he had ever said in class. Oh, I don’t mean it contradicted anything he had told us in class; it was just entirely different in tone.

   1959, Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers, New York: Ace Books, published 2006, page 97

2. To oppose (a person) by denying the truth or pertinence of a given statement.

   Everything he says contradicts me.

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   Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself, And say it is not so.

   c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]

   […] all these people having deservedly the reputation of good sense, penetration, and so-forth, I cannot contradict them with credit to myself.

   1753, Samuel Richardson, The History of Sir Charles Grandison, London, Volume 5, Letter 17, p. 113

   “I always contradict my husband when he says that,” said Mrs. Thornbury sweetly. “You men! Where would you be if it weren’t for the women!”

   1915, Virginia Woolf, chapter 15, in The Voyage Out, New York: George H. Doran, published 1920, page 199

3. To be contrary to (something).

   […] True indeed it is That They whom Death has hidden from our sight Are worthiest of the Mind’s regard; with these The future cannot contradict the past:

   c. 1806–1809 (date written), William Wordsworth, “Book the Fifth. The Pastor.”, in The Excursion, being a Portion of The Recluse, a Poem, London: […] Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […], published 1814, →OCLC, page 231

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   Now no truth can contradict any truth; desirous therefore they were to be taught, how bothe might stand together, that which they knew could not be false, because Christ spake it; and this which to them did seeme true, onely because the Scribes had said it.

   [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], 3rd edition, London: […] Will[iam] Stansby [for Matthew Lownes], published 1611, →OCLC, book III, page 118

   […] as he is going to a house dedicated to joy and mirth, it was fit he should divest himself of whatever was likely to contradict that intention, or be inconsistent with it.

   1760, Laurence Sterne, The Sermons of Mr. Yorick, London: R. & J. Dodsley, Volume 1, Sermon 2, p. 32

   My persona was mildly liked by television audiences. Its features were recognizable and caricaturable—the cigarette in its Dunhill holder wielded as gracefully as a Queen Anne fan, the Savile Row suitings whose conservative elegance was contradicted by opennecked silk shirts from Kuala Lumpur or by cream polo sweaters […]

   1980, Anthony Burgess, chapter 60, in Earthly Powers, Penguin, published 1981, page 486

4. reflexiveTo say things that conflict with each other.

   The prime minister contradicted herself during her speech.

5. obsoleteTo give an order contrary to (another order or wish), oppose (something).

   […] when was the hour I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too?

   1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]

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   1662, Margaret Cavendish, The Matrimonial Trouble, Act II, Scene 21 in Playes written by the thrice noble, illustrious and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle, London: John Martyn et al., p. 435, Lady Sprightly. What had you to do to contradict my commands? Doll Subtilty. They were not fit to be obey’d, wherefore they were forbid.

6. obsoleteTo give an order contrary to one given by (another person), oppose or resist (someone).

   A greater power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents.

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]

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   Beseemes it thee to contradict thy king? […] I will haue Gaueston, and you shall know, What danger tis to stand against your king.

   1594, Christopher Marlow[e], The Troublesome Raigne and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England: […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press] for Henry Bell, […], published 1622, →OCLC, (please specify the page)

7. obsoleteTo speak against; to forbid.

   […]magic hath been publicly professed in former times, in Salamanca, Cracovia, and other places, though after censured by several universities, and now generally contradicted, though practised by some still[…].

   1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York: New York Review Books, published 2001, →ISBN, page 203