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Showing results for contra. Search instead for cotra.
Definitions

contra

[kon-truh] / ˈkɒn trə /
ADVERB
vice versa
Synonyms
WEAK
about-face again backwards contrarily contrariwise contrary conversely far from it in reverse inversely mutatis mutandis on the contrary oppositely reversed the opposite way the other way around turn about upside down
NOUN
antithesis
Synonyms
STRONG
antipode contradictory contrary contrast converse counter inverse reverse
WEAK
antipole flip side other side
Antonyms
STRONG
same similarity
NOUN
converse
Synonyms
STRONG
antipode antithesis contrary counter inverse obverse reverse
WEAK
antipole counterpole other side
Antonyms
STRONG
same
WEAK
equal similarity
NOUN
opposite
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antithesis contrary
STRONG
antipode antonym contradiction contrast converse counterpart foil inverse obverse opposition paradox reverse
WEAK
another adverse antilogy antipole other extreme other side other side of coin vice versa
Antonyms
STRONG
agreement same similarity
WEAK
likeness
NOUN
reverse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
reversal
STRONG
about-face antipode antithesis back bottom contradiction contradictory contrary converse counter flip-flop inverse overturning rear regression retrogression retroversion reversion switch turn turnabout turning underside verso volte-face
WEAK
antipole change of mind counterpole flip side other side reversement turnaround wrong side
Antonyms
STRONG
front same
WEAK
identical
PREPOSITION
against
Synonyms
WEAK
contrary to counter to in contrast to in opposition to opposed to versus vs
PREPOSITION
toward/towards
Synonyms
WEAK
against almost approaching close to coming up en route facing for fronting headed for in relation to in the direction of in the vicinity just before moving nearing nearly not quite on the road to over against pointing to proceeding shortly before to via vis-à-vis

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.

Giraffes, contra Lamarck, didn’t reach for high leaves, develop long necks and then pass those necks on to their descendants.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

El formato del All-Star ha cambiado de Este contra Oeste a Estados Unidos contra el Mundo.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026

Los Rams ganaron 479 yardas contra la mejor defensa de la liga.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

Desde entonces, un juez ha retirado los cargos contra al menos cinco de los investigadores, y Sheinbaum Pardo ha criticado los cargos como “excesivos”.

From Science Magazine • May 8, 2024

I would not have written this book if I did not believe, contra Wilde, that many principles of style really can be taught.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.