contra

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.

Giraffes, contra Lamarck, didn’t reach for high leaves, develop long necks and then pass those necks on to their descendants.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

She also judged a biscuit competition and participated in contra dances, which is what got her into this music in the first place.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2025

The octave below contra can be labelled CCC or Co; higher octaves can be labelled with higher numbers or more lines.

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

I would not have written this book if I did not believe, contra Wilde, that many principles of style really can be taught.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

When it is bent to the left as in the figure, it is termed a right-hand side tool, and per contra when bent to the right it is a left-hand tool.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua