Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

contravene

/ˌkɒn.tɹəˈviːn/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.30 in modern English

Syllables: con-tra-vene
IPA: /ˌkɒn.tɹəˈviːn/

15

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To act contrary to an order; to fail to conform to a regulation or obligation.

Transitive verb

verb

To deny the truth of something.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"[…] nothing is a commandement, or a commanded dutie but that which if we contravene, it maketh us guilty of sin before God,"
"[…] this Article directly contravenes the Treaty with Portugal […]"
"I have shown that slavery is wicked […] in that it contravenes the laws of eternal justice, and tramples in the dust all the humane and heavenly precepts of the New Testament."
"[…] the other medical visitors having a consultative influence, but no power to contravene Lydgate’s ultimate decisions;"
"It was a construction in wood, with manifold “features” suggestive of the villa, the bungalow, the chateau, the palace; it united all tastes and contravened all conventions."
"Some legal experts argue that the bill contravenes Canada’s charter of rights and freedoms. Montreal constitutional lawyer Julius Grey told the Vancouver Sun that Bill 78 was "flagrantly unconstitutional"."

Etymology

From Middle French contravenir (French contrevenir), from Latin contraveniō.

Word Breakdown

Root: *gʷem-

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˌkɒn.tɹəˈviːn/

Usage

Inflected Forms

contravenes (present, singular) contravening (participle, present) contravened (participle, past) contravened (past)

Derived Forms

contraveningly

Frequently Paired Words

contravener contravention

Synonyms

breach break infringe violate contradict controvert dispute gainsay

Questions

How do you pronounce contravene?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌkɒn.tɹəˈviːn/.
What does contravene mean?: To act contrary to an order; to fail to conform to a regulation or obligation.
Where does contravene come from?: From Middle French contravenir (French contrevenir), from Latin contraveniō.

How to pronounce contravene

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