Use contrary when two things are exactly opposite or entirely different. If something is contrary to something else, it is opposed to or against it.
Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse;
Noun
two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false
Noun
exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty"
Noun
a relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"
Adjective S.
in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary wind"
Adjective S.
resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior"
Adjective S.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a contrary conclusion"
Adjective S.
of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false; "`hot'' and `cold'' are contrary terms"
a.
Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition;
adverse; as, contrary winds.
a.
Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent.
a.
Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a
contrary disposition; a contrary child.
a.
Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each
other; as, contrary propositions.
n.
A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities.
n.
An opponent; an enemy.
n.
the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition
incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the
contrary. See Converse, n., 1.
n.
See Contraries.
Contrary
And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me.
We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way.2.
Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed, And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds.
The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture.3.
Contrary
No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave.2.
Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse;
A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities.
Usage Examples
Contrary to popular opinion, things don't go stale particularly fast in the art world.
Contrary to general belief, I do not believe that friends are necessarily the people you like best, they are merely the people who got there first.
Contrary to popular opinion, the hustle is not a new dance step - it is an old business procedure.
Ground not upon dreams you know they are ever contrary.
Faith indeed tells what the senses do not tell, but not the contrary of what they see. It is above them and not contrary to them.
Faith is not contrary to reason.
Faith certainly tells us what the senses do not, but not the contrary of what they see it is above, not against them.
I am not a great theologian. I know there is a theological concept called invincible ignorance in which a strong enough faith binds you to any facts to the contrary.
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Other Usage ExamplesA return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.
Destiny is something not be to desired and not to be avoided. a mystery not contrary to reason, for it implies that the world, and the course of human history, have meaning.
I believe that the testing of the student's achievements in order to see if he meets some criterion held by the teacher, is directly contrary to the implications of therapy for significant learning.
Contrary to current cynicism about past golden ages, the abstraction known as 'the intelligent layperson' does exist - in the form of millions of folks with a passionate commitment to continuous learning.
Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are dead.
Besides the healthcare bill being unconstitutional and a great expansion of federal government, I think if it does not respect people's individual religious views and makes groups or individuals do things that are contrary to their deeply held beliefs, there is going to be a visceral negative reaction.
As I get older I think, contrary to modern assumption but in line with the old Lerner and Lowe song, that it would actually benefit both them and society if - to quote Professor Higgins - a woman could be more like a man.
Analysts may be correct that the presidential election won't primarily turn on entitlements reform, but by choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney can, contrary to conventional wisdom, make it a winning issue and lay the foundation for a reform mandate when he wins.
I continue to believe, contrary to the given wisdom, that it's more interesting to have an album - or, indeed, an individual song - which has variety rather than homogeneity.
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