contradiction
noun
con·tra·dic·tion
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-shən
1
: act or an instance of contradicting
the defendant's contradiction of the plaintiff's accusations
2
a
: a proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts or implies both the truth and falsity of something
… both parts of a contradiction cannot possibly be true …—Thomas Hobbes
b
: a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other
a round square is a contradiction in terms
3
a
: logical incongruity
b
: a situation in which inherent factors, actions, or propositions are inconsistent or contrary to one another
Cite this Entry
“Contradiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradiction. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.
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