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Contrary vs. Despite — What's the Difference?

Contrary vs. Despite — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Contrary and Despite

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Contrary

Opposed, as in character or purpose
Contrary opinions.
Acts that are contrary to our code of ethics.

Despite

Without being affected by; in spite of
He remains a great leader despite age and infirmity

Contrary

Opposite in direction or position
Our boat took a course contrary to theirs.

Despite

Contemptuous treatment or behaviour; outrage
The despite done by him to the holy relics

Contrary

(Music) Moving in the opposite direction at a fixed interval
Playing scales in contrary motion.
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Despite

Contempt; disdain
The theatre only earns my despite

Contrary

Adverse; unfavorable
A contrary wind.

Despite

In spite of; notwithstanding
Won the game despite overwhelming odds.

Contrary

(also kən-trârē) Given to recalcitrant behavior; willful or perverse.

Despite

Contemptuous defiance or disregard.

Contrary

Something that is opposite or contrary.

Despite

Spite; malice
"He died soon after ... of pure despite and vexation" (Sir Walter Scott).

Contrary

Either of two opposing or contrary things
"Truth is perhaps ... a dynamic compound of opposites, savage contraries for a moment conjoined" (A. Bartlett Giamatti).

Despite

In spite of, notwithstanding.

Contrary

(Logic) A proposition related to another in such a way that if the latter is true, the former must be false, but if the latter is false, the former is not necessarily true.

Despite

(obsolete) Disdain, contemptuous feelings, hatred.

Contrary

In an opposite direction or manner; counter
The judge ruled contrary to all precedent in the case.

Despite

(archaic) Action or behaviour displaying such feelings; an outrage, insult.

Contrary

Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
Contrary winds

Despite

Evil feeling; malice, spite, annoyance.

Contrary

Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.

Despite

(obsolete) To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously.

Contrary

Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.
A contrary disposition; a contrary child

Despite

Malice; malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous hate.
With all thy despite against the land of Israel.

Contrary

Contrarily

Despite

An act of malice, hatred, or defiance; contemptuous defiance; a deed of contempt.
A despite done against the Most High.

Contrary

The opposite.

Despite

To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously.

Contrary

(logic) One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true, though they may both be false.

Despite

In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his prejudices.

Contrary

(obsolete) To oppose; to frustrate.

Despite

Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike;
He was held in contempt
The despite in which outsiders were held is legendary

Contrary

(obsolete) To impugn.

Despite

Contemptuous disregard;
She wanted neither favor nor despite

Contrary

(obsolete) To contradict (someone or something).

Contrary

(obsolete) To do the opposite of (someone or something).

Contrary

(obsolete) To act inconsistently or perversely; to act in opposition to.

Contrary

(obsolete) To argue; to debate; to uphold an opposite opinion.

Contrary

(obsolete) To be self-contradictory; to become reversed.

Contrary

Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds.
And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me.
We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way.

Contrary

Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent.
Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed,And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds.
The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture.

Contrary

Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child.

Contrary

Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other; as, contrary propositions.

Contrary

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

Contrary

An opponent; an enemy.

Contrary

See Contraries.

Contrary

To contradict or oppose; to thwart.
I was advised not to contrary the king.

Contrary

A relation of direct opposition;
We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true

Contrary

Exact opposition;
Public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty

Contrary

Two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false

Contrary

Very opposed in nature or character or purpose;
Acts contrary to our code of ethics
The facts point to a contrary conclusion

Contrary

Of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false;
`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms

Contrary

Resistant to guidance or discipline;
Mary Mary quite contrary
An obstinate child with a violent temper
A perverse mood
Wayward behavior

Contrary

In an opposing direction;
Adverse currents
A contrary wind

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