noun

contradiction

kahn-truh-DIK-shuhn/ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkʃn/

A conflict between things that cannot both be true.

There is a contradiction between his story and the evidence.

Contradiction: a white adult man tells a brown-skinned woman something represented by a speech bubble containing an EMPTY birdcage, while the real matching birdcage visibly contains a yellow canary.

Etymology

contraLatinagainst

+dictLatinto say, speak

+ionLatinaction or result

A contradiction is literally an act of “speaking against,” as in an objection or counterargument. The opposition can also be between facts or conditions, not just between spoken claims.

In context

Jordan Blake7:35

Those two claims cannot both be true at the same time. Either the review is complete or investigations are continuing. That's why the contradiction immediately raised questions about what is actually happening behind the scenes.

Pam Bondi Caught in Major Contradiction During Hearing

More examples

Your report contains a contradiction: the door cannot be both locked and unlocked.
The detective spots several contradictions in the witness's account.
There is no contradiction between enjoying solitude and wanting friends.

Forms

contradiction · contradictions

contradict verb — To assert the opposite of a statement.

contradictory adjective — Expressing claims that cannot both be true.

Similar words

inconsistency: A mismatch that may not involve directly opposing claims.
conflict: Broader disagreement or opposition, including clashes of interests.