contradiction
noun
con·tra·dic·tion
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-shən 
1
: act or an instance of contradicting
the defendant's contradiction of the plaintiff's accusations
2
a
: a proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts or implies both the truth and falsity of something
… both parts of a contradiction cannot possibly be true …—
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes
b
: a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other
a round square is a contradiction in terms
3
a
: logical incongruity
b
: a situation in which inherent factors, actions, or propositions are inconsistent or contrary to one another
Examples of contradiction in a Sentence
No one was surprised by the defendant's contradiction of the plaintiff's accusations.
Her rebuttal contained many contradictions to my arguments.
There have been some contradictions in his statements.
There is a contradiction between what he said yesterday and what he said today.
Her statements are mired in contradiction.
What he said yesterday is in direct contradiction to what he said today.
Recent Examples on the Web
The case highlights a contradiction at the heart of the Chinese economy: While the country is trying to boost record-low birth rates, some companies are reluctant to hire pregnant workers.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 17 July 2024
Truly, the contradictions inherent in being a 21st century working mom have nothing on those that come with being a queen, a wife, a mother, and a dragon rider in this fantasy world.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 15 July 2024
The contradiction was one of the keys to her success.
—CBS News, 13 July 2024
The contradictions in Japan’s efforts to protect the yen while slowing the pace of rising bond yields are becoming increasingly clear in currency and debt markets.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for contradiction 
Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 17 July 2024
Truly, the contradictions inherent in being a 21st century working mom have nothing on those that come with being a queen, a wife, a mother, and a dragon rider in this fantasy world.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 15 July 2024
The contradiction was one of the keys to her success.
—CBS News, 13 July 2024
The contradictions in Japan’s efforts to protect the yen while slowing the pace of rising bond yields are becoming increasingly clear in currency and debt markets.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for contradiction
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contradiction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contradiction
Cite this Entry
“Contradiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradiction. Accessed 30 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contradiction
noun
con·tra·dic·tion
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-shən
1
: something (as a statement) that contradicts something else
2
: a condition in which things oppose each other
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