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.
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In fact, the author argues that, contra the “biological essentialist” view that says women are made for child care and men for professional work, the sexes are actually more similar than they are different.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
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
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
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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
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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
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius rejected the suggestion that Germany was standing in the way but said, “we have to balance all the pros and contras before we decide things like that, just like that.”
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 20, 2023
They chose to fight back through covert action, secret paramilitary operations and support for a counterrevolutionary force, the contras.
From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2021
The contras died down for most of the past two decades, but are rumoured to be making a comeback amid growing frustration with Ortega’s increasingly authoritarian rule.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 25, 2016
Elliott Abrams, an adviser to President Reagan who gained notoriety for his role in the funding of the contras in Nicaragua, has spoken with Rubio about foreign affairs.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 24, 2016
It has been lucrative work, augmented by a group that for years has been in constant need of his services: U.S.-funded Nicaraguan contras across the border.
From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario
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