Meaning & use
contrarily
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Meanings
adverbnot comparableformal
In an opposite or contrasting way, or in a way that goes against what has just been said.
Grammar: Often opens a sentence to introduce a contrast: contrarily, the results were worse.
Patterns
- contrarily, clause
The first model sold well; contrarily, the second barely moved off the shelves.
Some believe the policy will help. Contrarily, others think it will cause harm.
He expected cheers but, contrarily, was met with silence.
adverbnot comparabledisapproving
In a stubborn way that opposes what others want, just for the sake of it.
Grammar: Usually follows a verb: she acted contrarily.
Patterns
- act contrarily
- behave contrarily
The child contrarily refused to eat anything he had asked for earlier.
She contrarily insisted on walking in the rain.
He voted contrarily just to annoy the others.
Common combinations
- act contrarily
- He seemed to act contrarily whenever advice was offered.
- behave contrarily
- The patient behaved contrarily during the treatment.
- argue contrarily
- She argued contrarily to provoke a debate.
- think contrarily
- Some people think contrarily on every issue.
Synonyms and how they differ
- conversely
- Conversely flips a relationship around, while contrarily just states an opposing result or manner.
- on the contrary
- On the contrary contradicts a statement directly, and is much more common than contrarily.
- perversely
- Perversely adds a sense of deliberately doing the unreasonable thing, so it is stronger than contrarily.
- stubbornly
- Stubbornly refuses to change, whereas contrarily opposes in direction or manner.
Opposites
Word family
- contrary adjective
- opposite or opposed
- contrariness noun
- a habit of opposing others
- contrariwise adverb
- on the other hand
- contrarian noun
- a person who opposes the majority view
Commonly confused: contrarily or contrary? contrarily or conversely?
contrarily vs contrary
Contrary is the base adjective, so write a contrary opinion rather than a contrarily opinion.
contrarily vs conversely
Conversely switches the order of a relationship, while contrarily describes opposition or stubbornness.
Practice
Everyone urged her to rest, but she ____ insisted on running the marathon.
Choose one answer.
Contrarily fits stubborn opposition to what others advise. Conversely and similarly do not describe attitude, and gladly would mean she welcomed the advice.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “contrarily”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.