contradict

Name: contradict, English Word Data
Creator: Wiktionary
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

/ˌkɒn.tɹəˈdɪkt/

//ˌkɒn.tɹəˈdɪkt// verb

By PlainSpell Editorial Team · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) · analyzed May 6, 2026

The verdict

“contradict” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #18,280 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#18,280
frequency rank, English: 10
letters: 16
tracked misspellings: 1
confusable pair

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To deny the truth or validity of (a statement or statements).

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

contradict vs contract

80% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for contradict
Property	Value
Headword	contradict
Language	English
Part of speech	Verb
IPA	/ˌkɒn.tɹəˈdɪkt/
Letters	10
Frequency rank	#18,280
Misspellings tracked	16
Confusable pairs	1
Source	Wiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “contradict” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). contradict lands here:

#18,280

#1#100#1K#10K#100K

← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for contradict is 10 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˌkɒn.tɹəˈdɪkt/. Corpus data places it at rank #18,280 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 7 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 16 likely wrong-spelling variants for contradict, with forms such as "ccontradict", "cnotradict", and "conntradict". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 1 confusable-pair relationship, "contract", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: Derived from Latin contrādictus (“contradicted”), the past participle of contrādīcō (“speak against”) (originally two words). The correct English form is contradict, spelled C-O-N-T-R-A-D-I-C-T.

Definition

1
To deny the truth or validity of (a statement or statements).
2
To oppose (a person) by denying the truth or pertinence of a given statement.
3
To be contrary to (something).
4
To say things that conflict with each other.
5
To give an order contrary to (another order or wish), oppose (something).
6
To give an order contrary to one given by (another person), oppose or resist (someone).
7
To speak against; to forbid.

Etymology

Derived from Latin contrādictus (“contradicted”), the past participle of contrādīcō (“speak against”) (originally two words).

Synonyms

contravene disconfirm deny dispute question gainsay refute controvert withspeak

This word in other languages

contradecir(Español)contredire(Français)widersprechen(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ccontradict,cnotradict,conntradict,conrtadict,contardict,contradcit,contraddict,contradicct,contradictt,contraditc,contraidct,contrdaict,contrradict,conttradict,cotnradict,ocntradict

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of contradict - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

Edit distance from "contradict"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "contradict"?

"contradict" is spelled C-O-N-T-R-A-D-I-C-T. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌkɒn.tɹəˈdɪkt/.

What does "contradict" mean?

As a verb, "contradict" means: To deny the truth or validity of (a statement or statements).

What words are commonly confused with "contradict"?

"contradict" is commonly confused with "contract". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.

How do you pronounce "contradict"?

The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "contradict" is /ˌkɒn.tɹəˈdɪkt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.

What is the origin of the word "contradict"?

Derived from Latin contrādictus (“contradicted”), the past participle of contrādīcō (“speak against”) (originally two words). See the full etymology section above for more details.

Is PlainSpell free to use?

Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “contradict”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

The one correct English spelling is C-O-N-T-R-A-D-I-C-T - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
Say it as /ˌkɒn.tɹəˈdɪkt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
Don't mix it up with “contract” - see the side-by-side comparison. contradict vs contract
Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.