Synonyms of contrary
12 similar words · 3 opposite words
Another word for contrary is counter. Other synonyms of contrary are refractory and opposing.
Synonyms and similar words for contrary
adjectiveMore synonyms
- against the grain
- at cross purposes
- contradictory
- contrariantContrary or antagonistic.
- counterContrary or opposing.
- disagreeable
- opposed
- opposingThat opposes or oppose; on the opposite side.
- refractoryObstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.
- contrarious archaic
- cross rareOpposing, adverse; being contrary to what one would hope or wish for.
nounMore synonyms
- witherwardOpposite; adversity, opposition; hostility.
Opposite of contrary
adjectiveMore antonyms
- cooperative
- synergisticOf or pertaining to synergy or synergism; synergic; co-operative, working together, interacting, mutually stimulating.
- unopposed
Meaning of contrary
- adjective Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
- adjective Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.
- adjective Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.
contrary in other languages
Questions about synonyms of contrary
- What is another word for contrary?
- Contrary has 12 synonyms on Word.ws, such as counter, refractory and opposing.
- What is the opposite of contrary?
- The opposite of contrary is synergistic. Other antonyms of contrary are cooperative and unopposed.
- What does contrary mean?
- Contrary means opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: contrary (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of contrary.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/contrary. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.