contradiction

[kon-truh-dik-shuh n] /ˌkɒn trəˈdɪk ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of contradicting; gainsaying or opposition.
2.
assertion of the contrary or opposite; denial.
3.
a statement or proposition that contradicts or denies another or itself and is logically incongruous.
4.
direct opposition between things compared; inconsistency.
5.
a contradictory act, fact, etc.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English contradiccioun (< Anglo-French) < Latin contrādictiōn- (stem of contrādictiō). See contradict, -ion
Related forms
intercontradiction, noun
Examples from the web for contradiction
  • It also speaks to the supposed contradiction of the bird singing in the midst of its struggle.
  • Be careful not to let amiable discussion turn into contradiction and argument.
  • It is not for the diffusion of truth, but for the spreading of contradiction.
  • But this contradiction increasingly defines the conditions of our lives beyond the virtual world.
  • There's a contradiction to my relations with my small community here.
  • Nor was he especially complex, unless you happen to view instant contradiction of utterance as deep.
  • So far, they see no contradiction between their political beliefs and their national pride.
  • One can see another contradiction in the proposals of theory of relativity.
  • It is a triviality of logic that any theory which deuces contradiction is an inconsistent theory and it proves anything.
  • And it invites contradiction, orderly to the ear, fodder for modern choreographers to play with and tweak.
British Dictionary definitions for contradiction

contradiction

/ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən/
noun
1.
the act of going against; opposition; denial
2.
a declaration of the opposite or contrary
3.
a statement that is at variance with itself (often in the phrase a contradiction in terms)
4.
conflict or inconsistency, as between events, qualities, etc
5.
a person or thing containing conflicting qualities
6.
(logic) a statement that is false under all circumstances; necessary falsehood
Word Origin and History for contradiction
n.

late 14c., from Old French contradiction or directly from Latin contradictionem (nominative contradictio) "a reply, objection, counterargument," noun of action from past participle stem of contradicere, in classical Latin contra dicere "to speak against," from contra "against" (see contra) + dicere "to speak" (see diction).