Differing and Contrary

noun

• A relation of direct opposition.
  • usage: "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"
  • synonyms: reverse, opposite
• Exact opposition.
  • usage: "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty"
• A logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false.

adjective

• Very opposed in nature or character or purpose.
  • usage: "acts contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a contrary conclusion"
• Of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false.
  • usage: "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms"
• Resistant to guidance or discipline.
  • usage: "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a perverse mood"; "wayward behavior"
  • synonyms: obstinate, perverse, wayward
• In an opposing direction.
  • usage: "adverse currents"; "a contrary wind"
  • synonyms: adverse

• (n.) See Contraries.
• (a.) Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent.
• (n.) the opposite; a proposition, fact or condition incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. See Converse, n., 1.
• (a.) Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds.
• (a.) Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other; as, contrary propositions.
• (a.) Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child.
• (n.) A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities.
• (n.) An opponent; an enemy.