1. contradiction(n = noun.linkdef) - opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas;
is a kind of oppositeness, opposition
has particulars: dialectic
2. contradiction(n = noun.communication) contradiction in terms - (logic) a statement that is necessarily false; "the statement `he is brave and he is not brave' is a contradiction"
is a kind of falsehood, falsity, untruth
has particulars: antinomy, paradox
3. contradiction(n = noun.communication) - the speech act of contradicting someone; "he spoke as if he thought his claims were immune to contradiction"
is a kind of negation
has particulars: self-contradiction
Derived form verb contradict2
1. An assertion of the contrary to what has been said or affirmed; denial of the truth of a statement or assertion; contrary declaration; gainsaying. [1913 Webster]
"His fair demands
Shall be accomplished without contradiction." [1913 Webster]
2. Direct opposition or repugnancy; inconsistency; incongruity or contrariety; one who, or that which, is inconsistent. [1913 Webster]
"It develops itself in three specific forms which have been called the “Three Logical Axioms.” First, “A is A.” Second, “A is not Not-A” Third, “Everything is either A or Not-A.”" [1913 Webster]
"can he make deathless death? That were to make
Strange contradiction." [1913 Webster]
"We state our experience and then we come to a manly resolution of acting in contradiction to it." [1913 Webster]
"Both parts of a contradiction can not possibly be true." [1913 Webster]
"Of contradictions infinite the slave." [1913 Webster]
contradiction, n.
1 a statement of the opposite; denial. b an instance of this.
2 inconsistency.
Idiom:
contradiction in terms a self-contradictory statement or group of words.
Etymology:
ME f. OF f. L contradictio -onis (as CONTRADICT)
N contrariety, contrast, foil, antithesis, oppositeness, contradiction, antagonism, clashing, repugnance, inversion, the opposite, the reverse, the inverse, the converse, the antipodes, the antithesis, the other extreme, contrary, contrarious, contrariant, opposite, counter, dead against, converse, reverse, opposed, antithetical, contrasted, antipodean, antagonistic, opposing, conflicting, inconsistent, contradictory, at cross purposes, negative, hostile, differing toto coelo, diametrically opposite, diametrically opposed, as opposite as black and white, as opposite as light and darkness, as opposite as fire and water, as opposite as the poles, as different as night and day, Hyperion to a satyr, quite the contrary, quite the reverse, no such thing, just the other way, tout au contraire, contrarily, contra, contrariwise, per contra, on the contrary, nay rather, vice versa, on the other hand, all concord's born of contraries, Thesis, antithesis, synthesis.
N dissent, discordance, difference diversity of opinion, nonconformity, protestantism, recusancy, schism, disaffection, secession, recantation, dissension, discontent, cavilling, protest, contradiction, noncompliance, dissentient, dissenter, non-juror, non-content, nonconformist, sectary, separatist, recusant, schismatic, protestant, heretic, refusal, dissenting, negative, dissident, dissentient, unconsenting, non-content, nonjuring, protestant, recusant, unconvinced, unconverted, unavowed, unacknowledged, out of the question, discontented, unwilling, extorted, sectarian, denominational, schismatic, heterodox, intolerant, no, at variance, at issue with, under protest, Int, God forbid!, not for the world, I'll be hanged if, never tell me, your humble servant, pardon me, many men many minds, quot homines tot sententiae, tant s'en faut, il s'en faut bien, no way, by no means, count me out.
N negation, abnegation, denial, disavowal, disclaimer, abjuration, contradiction, contravention, recusation, protest, recusancy, flat contradiction, emphatic contradiction, emphatic denial, dementi, qualification, repudiation, retraction, confutation, refusal, prohibition, denying, denied, contradictory, negative, negatory, recusant, at issue upon, no, nay, not, nowise, not a bit, not a whit, not a jot, not at all, nohow, not in the least, not so, negative, negatory, no way, no such thing, nothing of the kind, nothing of the sort, quite the contrary, tout au contraire, far from it, tant s'en faut, on no account, in no respect, by no, by no manner of means, negatively, never, never in a million years, at no time, there never was a greater mistake, I know better, non haec in faedera, a thousand times no.