contrary purpose

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.

And no sooner has a new rotation of affairs given the superiority to another party, than another law, equally unreasonable and equally new, is found equally necessary for a contrary purpose.

From The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 11. Parlimentary Debates II. by Johnson, Samuel

In the first place, there was within doors, and under his immediate roof, four new comers, nearly each of which was actuated by some contrary purpose or design.

From The Sea-Witch Or, the African Quadroon : a Story of the Slave Coast by Ballou, Maturin Murray

This I have not only endeavoured to avoid, but also have used a method for the contrary purpose.

From The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume IV by Cibber, Theophilus

What could be more intelligible than that the inertia of matter, or pure chance, or some contrary purpose, should mar the expression of any platonic idea exercising its magic influence over the world?

From Character and Opinion in the United States by Santayana, George

The rockets had primarily been placed to check the fall of the projectile upon the moon, and now they were going to employ them for a directly contrary purpose.

From From the Earth to the Moon; and, Round the Moon by Verne, Jules