B2nounacademiclanguage
US/ˌkɑːn.trəˈdɪk.ʃən/
UK/ˌkɒn.trəˈdɪk.ʃən/
a difference between two facts or statements that means both cannot be true
In context
There is a contradiction between what the manager says and what he does.
The witness's two statements were full of contradictions.
Wanting to save money but buying a new phone every year seems like a contradiction.
Words that go with contradiction
noun + preposition
- contradiction betweenNote any contradiction between the chart and the text.
- in contradiction toHis actions were in contradiction to his promises.
- contradiction in termsA 'quiet party' sounds like a contradiction in terms.
adjective + noun
- apparent contradictionThe writer explains this apparent contradiction later.
- obvious contradictionThere is an obvious contradiction in her argument.