to the contrary

ADVERB

au contraire

Synonyms

WEAK

contrarily contrariwise in opposition on the other hand

PREPOSITION

notwithstanding

Synonyms

STRONG

nevertheless nonetheless withal

WEAK

after all against at any rate but despite for all that howbeit in any case in any event in spite of on the other hand regardless of though

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.

Javadli rejected the accusations and her Emirati legal team submitted evidence to the contrary in court.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

And she adds: “The court’s apparently oblivious insistence to the contrary today cannot be squared with what Callais said on its face just over one month ago.”

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

And, despite many headlines to the contrary, JPMorgan Chase says that 90% of households can afford to cover a $400 emergency expense.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

Americans didn’t actually land on the moon last week, despite some congratulations to the contrary, and Artemis II didn’t quite captivate the full attention of a country distracted by global strife and gas pumps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Suggestions to the contrary are frequently met with shocked disbelief.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

to the contrary

Example Sentences

Related Words