adjective / noun

contradictory

kahn-truh-DIK-tuh-ree/ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪktəri/

Directly inconsistent with another assertion.

The claims that the same glass is full and empty are contradictory.

Conflicting claims of a full and empty glass.

Etymology

contraLatinagainst

+dictLatinto say, speak

+oryLatincharacterized by

The underlying image is “speaking against”: contradictory ideas oppose one another as a claim and its denial do. In this sense, their conflict means they cannot both be true.

In context

Intrinsically Ordered Podcast with Cade Bradley12:37

ultimately evidence and authority are not mutually opposed. They are not contradictory. You can have both or one or the other or neither

Is the Resurrection of Jesus A Historical Fact? Atheists Respond to EVERY Resurrection Claim(Part 1)

More examples

Her claim that she stayed home is contradictory to her earlier statement.
The reports contain contradictory dates for the building's opening.
In logic, the contradictory of 'All birds fly' is 'Some birds do not fly.'

Forms

contradictory · contradictories

contradict verb — To state the opposite of something.

contradiction noun — A direct conflict between statements or claims.

Similar words

inconsistent: Describes statements that fail to agree, even without direct opposition.
incompatible: Emphasizes that two claims cannot both be accepted as true.