ON THE CONTRARY • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of On the contrary

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/ɑn ðə kˈɑntrɛri/ Listen

noun

Contrary n. (pl. contraries)

A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. "No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave."

An opponent; an enemy. (Obs.)

The opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. See Converse, n., 1.

(Logic) See Contraries.

On the contrary, in opposition; on the other hand.

To the contrary, to an opposite purpose or intent; on the other side. "They did it, not for want of instruction to the contrary."

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Etymology of 'On the contrary'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"On the contrary" Quotes from Famous Books

... presence always annoyed him. He even expressed his surprise to Hiram, who replied by making use of the moral argument. He was sorry for the poor fellow. He hoped to do him some good. Possibly he might be able to bring him under better influences. Certainly Hill would not harm him, while, on the contrary, he ...

— The Continental Monthly, Vol. 3 No 2, February 1863 - Devoted To Literature And National Policy • Various

... surprise at finding a young lady in his arms, may easily be imagined; but, great as was his surprise, his distress was greater, from the extreme novelty of the situation. It was not that he was unaccustomed to female society: on the contrary, his captain had introduced him everywhere in the different ports of the colonies in which they had anchored; and perhaps there is no better society, although limited, than is to be met with at the table of a colonial governor, but here it was quite different. He had been habituated ...

— The King's Own • Captain Frederick Marryat

... reasonable that one should capture the lamb and another go off with the fleece. If they had been willing to participate in our discoveries, use their means, and risk their persons, they would have given evidence of their honor and nobleness, but on the contrary they show clearly that they are impelled by pure malice that they may enjoy the fruit of our labors ...

— Voyages of Samuel de Champlain V3 • Samuel de Champlain

... is as well: for now you can thank me for it beforehand when you reply (as I know you will) to this Letter—and no more needs to be said. For I do [not] need your Advice as to Publication in this case; no such Design is in my head: on the contrary, not even a Friend will know of it except yourself, Mr. Norton, and Aldis Wright: the latter of whom would not be of the party but that he happened to be here when I was too purblind to correct the few Proofs, and very kindly did so for me. As for ...

— Letters of Edward FitzGerald to Fanny Kemble (1871-1883) • Edward FitzGerald

... Orrville to rise early and go to bed late. But this by no means implies any excessive activity. On the contrary. These spells of activity lasted just as long as their accomplishment required. In the interim its citizens returned to a slumber little less profound than that which supervened at night after the last roysterer had been ...

— The Forfeit • Ridgwell Cullum

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