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Definitions

on the contrary

ADVERB
again
Synonyms
STRONGEST
also further then
WEAK
additionally besides furthermore moreover on the other hand
ADVERB
differently
Synonyms
STRONGEST
individually negatively separately variously
WEAK
abnormally adversely antagonistically antithetically asymmetrically conflictingly contradictorily contrarily contrastingly contrastively discordantly disparately dissimilarly distinctively divergently diversely hostilely in a different manner incompatibly incongruously nonconformably on the other hand oppositely poles apart uniquely unorthodoxly unusually vice versa
Antonyms
STRONGEST
together
ADVERB
vice versa
Synonyms
WEAK
about-face again backwards contra contrarily contrariwise contrary conversely far from it in reverse inversely mutatis mutandis oppositely reversed the opposite way the other way around turn about upside down
CONJUNCTION
or
Synonyms
WEAK
contrary to in reverse instead instead of oppositely or not or not exactly or rather rather reversing it
Antonyms
WEAK
neither nor without choice

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.

It is, on the contrary, a way of continuing their legacy and celebrating them.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 31, 2026

She said that on the contrary, she spends lavishly on him, including partly paying for a Mercedes for his 19th birthday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

The researchers also found that, on the contrary, the use of antiplatelet drugs may be linked to a higher risk of dementia.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024

I'm not saying for one minute that these competitions shouldn't take place - on the contrary.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2024

Tres Marias was a good business that required no help from the seam of gold; on the contrary, it served as collateral for an extension on his concession to the mine.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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