January 25, 2012
contradict (verb)
\kahn-truh-DIKT\ Hear it!
What does it mean?
1 : to say the opposite of what someone else has said : deny the truth2 : to be opposed or contrary to : go against
How do you use it?
On cross-examination, the attorney tried to get the witness to contradict his earlier statement.
Are you a word wiz?

Which one of these words do you think is a synonym of "contradict"?

There's no denying that C is the right answer. "Deny" implies a firm refusal to accept something as true or to acknowledge the existence or claims of something or someone. ("They denied the charges.") "Contradict" and "gainsay" both mean about the same thing as "deny," but are used in slightly different ways. "Contradict" suggests a complete denial. ("Her version of the story contradicts his.") "Gainsay," meanwhile, implies disputing the truth of what someone else has said. ("No one can gainsay her claims.") "Contravene" is another member of this group of synonyms. "Contravene" indicates incompatibility rather than intentional opposition. ("The new laws contravene tradition.").
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