NYT Dictionary
CONTRARY
/ˈkɑntɹɛɹi/AdjectiveAdverbNounVerbCON-tra-rycon-tra-ry · 3 syllablesGrade 6
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
against the grainat cross purposescontradictorycontrariantcontrariouscontrarycountercrossdisagreeableopposed
Antonyms
cooperativesynergisticunopposed
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram: