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

What is great news for the defense is also great news for the stability of the team as a whole; not that Karl W Ouimette was doing a bad job – au contraire.

From The Guardian • Apr. 12, 2013

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

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2012

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

Le pic au contraire est tout formé d’un gneiss talqueux, souvent à gros éléments, alternant parfois à quelques bancs de schistes talqueux et quartzeux, mais sans bancs calcaires.

From The Ascent of the Matterhorn by Whymper, Edward