Basic Details
Word: Contradictory
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Something that has parts that conflict or are opposite to each other.
Synonyms: Opposite, conflicting, contrary
Antonyms: Consistent, harmonious, compatible
Idioms and Phrases
- To have contradictory feelings: This means to feel two opposing emotions at the same time. Example: "She felt contradictory feelings about moving to a new city; she was excited yet sad to leave her friends."
- To contradict oneself: This means to make statements that do not agree with each other. Example: "He tends to contradict himself often when explaining his opinions."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The teachers instructions were contradictory, making it hard for the students to understand what to do.
Example 2: Janes contradictory comments about the movie left her friends confused about her true opinion.
Example 3: The politician's contradictory statements during the debate raised concerns about his trustworthiness.
Fun Fact
The word "contradictory" comes from the Latin word "contradictorius," which means "saying against." It highlights the idea of opposing statements or ideas.
Famous Quote
"It is a contradiction in terms to say that one person can be independent in a community." - R. D. Laing
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "contradictory" mean?
a) Always the same
b) Having parts that conflict
c) Friendly and kind
d) Being in a hurry
Answer: b) Having parts that conflict
2. Which of these is a synonym of "contradictory"?
a) Harmonious
b) Opposite
c) Similar
d) Agreeable
Answer: b) Opposite
3. Which of these is an antonym of "contradictory"?
a) Conflicting
b) Consistent
c) Contrary
d) Different
Answer: b) Consistent
4. Which sentence uses "contradictory" correctly?
a) His contradictory statements made it clear he was unsure about his opinion.
b) The contradictory cat chased the dog.
c) She sang a contradictory song at the concert.
d) The contradictory car is very fast.
Answer: a) His contradictory statements made it clear he was unsure about his opinion.
5. What does it mean to "contradict oneself"?
a) To agree with everyone
b) To make statements that don't match each other
c) To repeat the same thing
d) To stay quiet
Answer: b) To make statements that don't match each other
