Contraries
/ˈkɒntrɛriz/
nounB2plural
Definition
Contraries are two or more things that are very different in a way that they cannot both be true or exist at the same time. For example, "hot" and "cold" are contraries because something cannot be both hot and cold at once. This word often describes opposite ideas, qualities, or opinions.
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See It in Action
Opposite ideas or qualities that cannot both be true or exist together
- •Hot and cold are contraries in temperature.
- •Truth and falsehood are contraries in meaning.
- •Their opinions were contraries, so they could not agree.
In logic or philosophy, pairs of statements or ideas that cannot both be true at the same time
- •The statement "It is raining" and "It is not raining" are contraries.
- •Contraries help us understand opposing ideas in debates.
- •Philosophers use contraries to study different points of view.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "contraries" like "opposites" (A1 word), but often used for ideas or qualities that cannot happen or be true together
- ✓Picture a light switch that can be either ON or OFF, but not both at the same time
- ✓It's the feeling when two friends disagree completely and have opposite opinions about something important
- ✓Sounds like "CON-trar-ies" → imagine two people constantly saying "No!" to each other, showing opposition
- ✓Remember the phrase "opposites attract," but contraries do not mix—they are always in conflict or difference
- ✓NOT like "different" (which means not the same but can exist together), contraries are stronger opposites that cannot both be true at once
- ✓NOT like "contradictions" (which are logical conflicts), contraries are specifically opposite qualities or ideas
- ✓NOT like "complements" (which complete each other), contraries are in conflict or opposition
Try Other Words
- •Opposites: things that are completely different or reverse (Use when talking about simple or physical differences)
- •Conflicts: ideas or feelings that do not agree (Use when focusing on disagreement or fight between ideas)
- •Contradictions: statements that cannot both be true (Use in logical or formal situations)
- •Differences: things that are not the same (Use when the difference is not about direct opposition)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "contra-" (against, opposite) + "-ry" (noun suffix) + plural "-ies"
- •Etymology: From Latin "contrarius" meaning opposite or opposing
- •Historical development: Used since Middle English to describe opposing ideas or qualities
- •Modern usage: Common in philosophy, logic, and everyday language to describe things that are opposite or conflicting
- •Key insight: Always about strong opposition where both cannot be true or exist together
Reflect & Connect
•Can two contraries ever exist together in real life, or must one always be true and the other false?
•How do contraries help us understand different opinions or ideas better?
Fill in the blanks
1.Hot and cold are contraries because something cannot be ___ and ___ at the same time.
2.When two people have contraries in opinion, they often ___ to agree.
3.Contraries are different from simple differences because they cannot both be ___.
4.In logic, contraries help us find ___ between two opposite statements.
5.People sometimes say "contraries attract," but contraries often mean ___ or disagreement.
6.Contraries usually appear in pairs that ___ each other.
7.If two ideas are contraries, believing one means you must ___ the other.