Definitions

au contraire

[oh kawn-trer] / oʊ kɔ̃ˈtrɛr /

ADJECTIVE

on the contrary

Synonyms

WEAK

in opposition on the other hand to the contrary

ADVERB

on the contrary

Synonyms

WEAK

contrarily contrariwise in opposition on the other hand to the contrary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Using less water didn’t affect the harvest, au contraire, it actually improved the grapes’ quality.

From Forbes • Oct. 2, 2014

I don’t believe, bien au contraire, that anti-Semitism has its origins in secularism.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2012

The problem is not that it is so complicated that only three people understand it; au contraire, thousands claim to comprehend it and therein lies the difficulty: their "understandings" differ so markedly, one from another.

From The Guardian • Dec. 26, 2010

Humans have no fear of Twinkies and cheeseburgers - au contraire - although these foods have become more dangerous to our health than anything that skitters, flits or crawls.

From Washington Post • Oct. 25, 2010

Je crois, au contraire, qu'il n'existe pas une seule tragédie où la fatalité règne réellement.

From Plays, Acting and Music A Book Of Theory by Symons, Arthur