What does contrariety mean?
Contrariety is a formal noun denoting the condition of being contrary — that is, in direct opposition, contradiction, or conflict with something else. It may describe the clash between two opinions or principles, the antagonism between opposing forces, or the inconsistency between what a person professes and how they actually behave. The word derives from Latin roots meaning 'to turn against', and entered English through medieval scholastic usage, where it carried precise weight in logic and theology. Today it survives chiefly in philosophical, legal, and literary contexts, lending discussions of disagreement a measured, authoritative tone. Because it names the state of opposition rather than any particular instance of it, contrariety functions as an abstract term: one speaks of the contrariety between ideals and actions, or between appearance and truth. Though increasingly rare in everyday speech, it remains a useful word for writers who wish to characterise deep-seated opposition with precision and gravity rather than mere disagreement.
nounThe state or quality of being contrary or opposed to something; direct opposition, contradiction, or inconsistency between things.
- The state or quality of being directly opposed to something else; opposition or antagonism between things, opinions, or principles.
- Inconsistency or discrepancy, especially between what one says or professes and what one does.
"The contrariety between his professed ideals and his actual conduct was impossible to ignore."
"There was an evident contrariety between the committee's stated aims and its actual decisions."
"Philosophers have long noted the contrariety between appearance and reality."
The plural is rare and appears mainly in scholarly texts discussing multiple instances or kinds of opposition.
"Medieval logicians catalogued numerous contrarieties among competing propositions."
Contrariety comes from a Latin verb meaning literally 'to turn against' — the same root that gave us 'contradict', which also literally means to speak against.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of contrariety
Contrariety derives from the Latin adjective 'contrarius', meaning 'opposite' or 'turned against', formed from 'contra-' ('against') plus a suffix related to turning. It reached English via Old French 'contrarieté' in the late Middle Ages, and was well established by early modern times, appearing prominently in scholastic philosophy and theological debate, where contrariety described logical and moral opposition. Its cognates include 'contrary', 'contradict', and 'contrast', all built on the same Latin prefix 'contra-'.
How contrariety is actually used
A formal, somewhat literary word, most often encountered in academic writing, philosophy, and older prose. In modern usage it has largely been displaced by simpler terms such as 'opposition', 'contradiction', or 'conflict'. It carries a neutral connotation — it describes a state of affairs rather than passing judgment on it.
Easily confused with contrariety
"Contrary" is an adjective and noun describing a thing or person that opposes another, while "contrariety" is the abstract noun denoting the state or fact of opposition itself.