How to pronounce contradiction
Say it like kon-truh-DIK-shun. Contradiction has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contradiction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kon
- truh
- DIK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contradiction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- konGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contradiction
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-truh-DIK-shun.
What does contradiction mean?
- The act of contradicting.“His contradiction of the proposal was very interesting.”
- A statement that contradicts itself, i.e., a statement that claims that the same thing is true and that it is false at the same time and in the same senses of the terms.“There is a contradiction in what you say: she can't be both married and single.”
- A logical inconsistency among two or more elements or propositions.“Marx believed that the contradictions of capitalism would lead to socialism.”
Where does contradiction come from?
From Middle English contradiccioun, contradiction, from Old French contradiction, from Latin contrādictiō, from contrādīcō (“speak against”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with contradiction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contradiction.
Questions about saying contradiction
How do you pronounce contradiction?
Say kon-truh-DIK-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑntrəˈdɪkʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contradiction?
Contradiction has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DIK). Broken into parts: kon · truh · DIK · shun.
Is contradiction pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən/ (kon-truh-DIK-shun).