Definitions

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.

The authors of this study found evidence to the contrary.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 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

Arguments to the contrary are overly cautious and pedantic.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

He genuinely believes he can change reality simply by relentlessly stating something as fact in the face of all evidence to the contrary.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

I told her absolutely not—very much to the contrary, in fact.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

to the contrary

Example Sentences

Related Words