contradiction
/ˌkɑːntɹəˈdɪkʃən/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.45 in modern English
18
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A statement that contradicts itself, i.e., a statement that claims that the same thing is true and that it is false at the same time and in the same senses of the terms.
Countable
noun
A proposition that is false for all values of its propositional variables or Boolean atoms.
Countable
Example Sentences
- "His contradiction of the proposal was very interesting."
- "There is a contradiction in Clarence Page's statement that a woman should have the right to choose and decide for herself whether to have an abortion and at the same time she should not have that right."
- "There is a contradiction in what you say: she can't be both married and single."
- "Marx believed that the contradictions of capitalism would lead to socialism."
Etymology
From Middle English contradiccioun, contradiction, from Old French contradiction, from Latin contrādictiō, from contrādīcō (“speak against”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: contradiccioun, contradiction, contrādictiō
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌkɑːntɹəˈdɪkʃən/
- British English: /ˌkɒntɹəˈdɪkʃən/