contradict
To be in conflict with a statement, fact, or piece of evidence; to say the opposite.
readingwriting-task-2speakingScience and researchCulture and media
IELTS use
Discussing conflicting evidence or viewpoints in Task 2 and Reading; expressing disagreement in Speaking.
Examples
- The latest research contradicts earlier findings about the benefits of a high-protein diet.
- Some media reports contradict official government statements about pollution levels.
Collocations
- directly contradict
- The witness's account directly contradicts the defendant's version of events.
Word family
- Noun
- contradiction
- Verb
- contradict
- Adjective
- contradictory
Paraphrases
- be inconsistent with: Slightly more formal, often used in academic writing.
- refute: Stronger, implying active disproving.
Common mistakes
- contradict to something to contradict something. 'Contradict' is transitive; no preposition needed.
- contradict with each other to contradict each other. Omit 'with' before the object.