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contrariness

contrariness

1 7.7
A habit where someone does the opposite of what others want on purpose
  • noun
  • /kənˈtrɛrɪnəs/
translation icon : contrariedad
  • His constant contrariness in team discussions led to delays in making decisions.

Hence that famous contrariness for which she has often been reproached.

Examples

  • The child's contrariness made it challenging for the teacher to follow the lesson plan.

  • The tendency to question authority and societal regulations can be associated with positive maladjustment observed in many gifted individuals; but it can as easily, if not more so, be a sign of either low intelligence or impulsive and thoughtless contrariness.

    Academic text (2006)
  • How art is always on the side of contrariness.

    Academic text (1998)
  • What was it: some kind of contrariness?

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Hence that famous contrariness for which she has often been reproached.

  • - "Social contrariness... and a generally pessimistic attitude are often observed."

  • Kathleen's independence (bordering on healthy contrariness) has become especially valuable.

    Blog text (12)
  • And hedge funds emerged as the masters of these tools, providing quasi-insurance to investors and firms and introducing a healthy dose of contrariness into financial markets.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Lest it be concluded that Sir John was unhappy in his adversarial contrariness, it is stressed that his role was quite congruent with his characterological needs and that it was instrumental to his life satisfaction.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Her contrariness often frustrated her friends, as she liked to oppose their suggestions.

Synonyms

opposition
vscontrariness
250 3.4

The act of resisting an idea, plan, or change

is a personal, deliberate refusal to cooperate or to make things difficult
perversity
vscontrariness
9 8.6

To do things on purpose that are wrong or go against what others expect

is about opposing or being uncooperative toward others rather than breaking standards
obstinacy
vscontrariness
3 7.6

Refusing to change your mind or actions even when others ask you to

emphasizes oppositional, uncooperative behavior toward others rather than mere stubbornness
contentiousness
vscontrariness
1 8.4

A habit of arguing and causing disagreement

is more about refusing cooperation and opposing others rather than mere arguing
perverseness
vscontrariness
1 8.4

Doing things on purpose that are wrong or against what others expect

focuses on opposing others and being uncooperative rather than surprising or improper acts
obstinance
vscontrariness
1 7.9

Being stubborn and refusing to change your mind

is more about deliberate opposition to others rather than only refusing to change
cussedness
vscontrariness
  • UK
1 9.9

A stubborn attitude of refusing to do what others want

is a general oppositional tendency rather than a personal willful attitude
noncooperation
vscontrariness
1 5.4

Refusing to work with or help others as a form of protest

is a broader personal tendency to oppose others beyond specific refusal to work together
obstreperousness
vscontrariness
1 9.9

Noisy behavior that is hard to control and refuses to obey

is about quiet deliberate opposition and uncooperativeness rather than noisy disorder
oppositionality
vscontrariness
  • Specialized
9.2

A habit of often disagreeing and refusing to do what others ask

is about being deliberately difficult in personal interactions rather than formal conflict
disagreeableness
vscontrariness
8.1

A quality of being unpleasant and hard to get along with that makes people avoid you

is specifically a deliberate oppositional attitude rather than general unpleasantness
contrariety
vscontrariness
9.9

A state in which two ideas or things are opposite and cannot both be true

is a personal habit of deliberately refusing to cooperate with others

Antonyms

443 2.5

Working together with other people to reach a common goal

171 5.0

Obeying rules or orders from people in charge

How Uncooperative

stubbornness
21 3.6
contrariness
1 7.7
reluctance
68 3.6
unwillingness
34 3.9

Surface Forms

contrariness singular

Morphology

contrariness = contrary (transparent) = contrary + ness

Formed by the adjective 'contrary' plus the nominalizing suffix '-ness', meaning the state or quality of being contrary.

Etymology

The word contrariness comes from the root contra, which means 'against', and you also see this idea in English words like contrary and counter. So, contrariness is the habit of being 'against' others or doing the opposite on purpose, and that is why it means being difficult or uncooperative.