Definitions

contra

[kon-truh] / ˈkɒn trə /

ADVERB

vice versa

Synonyms

WEAK

about-face again backwards contrarily contrariwise contrary conversely far from it in reverse inversely mutatis mutandis on the contrary oppositely reversed the opposite way the other way around turn about upside down

NOUN

antithesis

Synonyms

STRONG

antipode contradictory contrary contrast converse counter inverse reverse

WEAK

antipole flip side other side

Antonyms

STRONG

same similarity

NOUN

converse

Synonyms

STRONG

antipode antithesis contrary counter inverse obverse reverse

WEAK

antipole counterpole other side

Antonyms

STRONG

same

WEAK

equal similarity

NOUN

opposite

Synonyms

STRONGEST

antithesis contrary

STRONG

antipode antonym contradiction contrast converse counterpart foil inverse obverse opposition paradox reverse

WEAK

another adverse antilogy antipole other extreme other side other side of coin vice versa

Antonyms

STRONG

agreement same similarity

WEAK

likeness

NOUN

reverse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

reversal

STRONG

about-face antipode antithesis back bottom contradiction contradictory contrary converse counter flip-flop inverse overturning rear regression retrogression retroversion reversion switch turn turnabout turning underside verso volte-face

WEAK

antipole change of mind counterpole flip side other side reversement turnaround wrong side

Antonyms

STRONG

front same

WEAK

identical

PREPOSITION

against

Synonyms

WEAK

contrary to counter to in contrast to in opposition to opposed to versus vs

PREPOSITION

toward/towards

Synonyms

WEAK

against almost approaching close to coming up en route facing for fronting headed for in relation to in the direction of in the vicinity just before moving nearing nearly not quite on the road to over against pointing to proceeding shortly before to via vis-à-vis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Contra all the stifled yawns and thinly veiled condescension, the contest — now in its final stretch — is the most compelling California gubernatorial campaign in decades.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026

Growing up on his family’s East Contra Costa County farm in the 1960s, Dennis Baldocchi thought the whole world was foggy until a friend took him on a hike that climbed above it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Mr Isker and Mr Engel announced their move to Gainesboro last year on their podcast Contra Mundum - Latin for "against the world".

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

The fault runs from around the unincorporated community of Alamo in Contra Costa County southeast along Interstate 680 through areas around Danville, Dublin and Pleasanton.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

Contra — Means lower: for example a contrabassoon sounds lower than a regular bassoon43 , and a contrabass clarinet is even lower than a bass clarinet.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

contra

Example Sentences

Related Words