contradict
Verb
Easy difficulty
What does “contradict” mean?
verb.to deny the truth of (a statement), especially by asserting the opposite.
SAT Usage
This term often appears in passages discussing debates, conflicts, or contrasting viewpoints. It emphasizes the active denial of a statement's truth, highlighting the tension between differing perspectives, and differs from synonyms like "refute," which implies disproving an argument with evidence rather than simply asserting the opposite.
Common Confusions
Contradict implies an active denial of a statement's truth, while refute usually suggests disproving an argument with evidence or reasoning.
Example Sentences
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The new data appeared to contradict the researcher's earlier findings.
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Everything he says contradicts me.
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The lab results contradict the rumors spreading online.
Word Parts: How to Remember “contradict”
Break “contradict” into its parts: contra- (against) + -dict- (say, speak). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
contra-against (Latin) -
Root:
-dict-say, speak (Latin)