on the contrary

on the contrary
adverb
contrary to expectations (Freq. 10)
-

he didn't stay home; on the contrary, he went out with his friends

• Derived from adjective: ↑contrary (for: ↑contrarily)

* * *

adverb
2. : just the opposite : no

“you look tired”. “On the contrary, I feel fine”

* * *

on the contrary
Quite the opposite, not at all
• • •
Main Entry: ↑contrary

* * *

on the contrary phrase
used for emphasizing that something is true, even though it is the opposite of something that has been said

The risk of infection hasn’t diminished – on the contrary, it has increased.

Thesaurus: ways of emphasizing that something is true although it may be surprisingsynonym
Main entry: contrary

* * *

on (or quite) the contrary
used to intensify a denial of what has just been implied or stated

there was no malice in her; on the contrary, she was very kind

* * *

on the contrary (also quite the contrary)
— used to state that the opposite of what was said before is true

The test will not be easy; on the contrary, it will be very difficult.

The lecture was not boring. Quite the contrary, it was very informative and interesting.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑contrary

* * *

on the ˈcontrary idiom
used to introduce a statement that says the opposite of the last one

•

‘It must have been terrible.’ ‘On the contrary, I enjoyed every minute.’

Main entry: ↑contraryidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Synonyms:
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  • the contrary — UK [ˈkɒntrəri] US [ˈkɑnˌtreri] noun ★ the opposite Evidence suggests that the contrary is true. quite the contrary: I don’t disagree – quite the contrary – I think you’re absolutely right. Thesaurus …   Useful english dictionary

  • the contrary */ — UK [ˈkɒntrərɪ] / US [ˈkɑnˌtrerɪ] noun the opposite Evidence suggests that the contrary is true. quite the contrary: I don t disagree – quite the contrary – I think you re absolutely right. • on the contrary to the contrary …   English dictionary

  • On the contrary — Contrary Con tra*ry, n.; pl. {Contraries}. 1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. [1913 Webster] No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To the contrary — Contrary Con tra*ry, n.; pl. {Contraries}. 1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. [1913 Webster] No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • the contrary — the opposite. → contrary …   English new terms dictionary

  • to the contrary — adverb contrary to expectations (Freq. 3) he didn t stay home; on the contrary, he went out with his friends • Syn: ↑contrarily, ↑contrariwise, ↑on the contrary • Derived from adjective: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • to the contrary — {adv.} or {adj. phr.} With an opposite result or effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. * /Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary./ * /We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • to the contrary — {adv.} or {adj. phr.} With an opposite result or effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. * /Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary./ * /We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • To the Contrary — No. of seasons 18 Broadcast Original channel PBS …   Wikipedia

  • to\ the\ contrary — adv or adj. phr. With an opposite result or effect; just the opposite; in disagreement; saying the opposite. Although Bill was going to the movies, he told Joe to the contrary. We will expect you for dinner unless we get word to the contrary.… …   Словарь американских идиом

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