Definitions

contrarian

[kuhn-trair-ee-uhn] / kənˈtrɛər i ən /

NOUN

one who takes an opposing view

Synonyms

STRONG

antagonist

WEAK

adversary debater opponent

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.

That the Memory ETF has only been made available now is “a contrarian sell signal,” he said in a Thursday note.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

The indicator is interpreted in a contrarian way, with higher values showing lower subsequent returns, and vice versa.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

Rogers, who is also the chairman, co-CEO and chief investment officer at Ariel, continues to be a contrarian as well.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman relishes playing the role of contrarian.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Given that there is some rough economic estimate of a stock’s value, regression to the mean can sometimes be used to justify a kind of contrarian strategy.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos