[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/contrary/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [C](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/c/) / contrary

# contrary

adjective (contrary); noun (the contrary); also «on the contrary»

«contrary» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Contrary means opposite or very different: «contrary opinions». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#m1)
2. «On the contrary» is used to say the opposite is true: «Bored? On the contrary, I loved it». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#m2)
3. (said «con-TRAIR-ee») A contrary person deliberately does the opposite of what others want. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#m3)
4. «Contrary to» means against or different from: «contrary to the rules». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#m4)

### In the lessons

In arguments, debates and stories «on the contrary» marks disagreement. «Contrary to popular belief» introduces a fact that busts a myth in science. In nursery rhymes «Mary, Mary, quite contrary» describes a stubborn girl. Phrases: on the contrary, contrary to, to the contrary, evidence to the contrary.

### Examples

- Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#x1)
- «Are you tired?» «On the contrary, I'm full of energy.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#x2)
- Running in the corridor is contrary to the rules. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#x3)
- Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#x4)
- Unless I hear to the contrary, we'll meet at three. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#x5)
- The two sisters had contrary views. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#x6)
- "What are you doing, you contrary thief?" said the master. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/#x7)

### Note

Usually stressed «CON-tra-ry»; in the sense «stubborn» often «con-TRAIR-ee». «On the contrary» answers a statement by saying the opposite; it does not mean «on the other hand».

## In Jewish tradition

"Walk contrary" means to behave in opposition to God, treating His warnings with stubborn hostility. In Ezekiel it also means opposite or different in a way that shames, as Jerusalem is called contrary to other women.

**Interpretation.** The tradition reads it as a chance event view, "keri," and treats the passage as a warning that God answers opposition with matching measure. Ezekiel's use is read as a rebuke of Israel's unfaithfulness.

### Examples

- And if ye will not for all this hearken unto Me, but walk contrary unto Me; (Torah LEV.26.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contrary/#x1)
- And if in spite of these things ye will not be corrected unto Me, but will walk contrary unto Me; (Torah LEV.26.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contrary/#x2)
- then will I also walk contrary unto you; and I will smite you, even I, seven times for your sins. (Torah LEV.26.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contrary/#x3)
- And the contrary is in thee from other women, in that thou didst solicit to harlotry, and wast not solicited; and in that thou givest hire, and no hire is given unto thee, thus thou art contrary. (Prophets EZK.16.34, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contrary/#x4)

### Note

Usually stressed «CON-tra-ry»; in the sense «stubborn» often «con-TRAIR-ee». «On the contrary» answers a statement by saying the opposite; it does not mean «on the other hand».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «contrary» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contrary/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«contrary» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/contrary.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «contrary» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contrary/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«contrary» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/contrary.html) on Mova free.