contrariwise

USAGE SUMMARY

"contrariwise" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means "on the contrary," or "in opposition," and is usually used to contrast something that has just been said. For example: "Although it is true that the cost of living is rising, contrariwise, wages are remaining stagnant."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Amnesty is calling for the immediate release of Burmese human rights activist U Myint Aye, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in planning a bomb attack in the Shwepyitha Township in Yangon on 1 July 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the flow of your sentence when using "contrariwise". It often works best when directly following the statement it contradicts, creating a clear and immediate contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "contrariwise" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place and make your communication seem unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "on the contrary" or "conversely" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contrariwise" is as an adverbial phrase, functioning to introduce a statement that opposes or contrasts with a previous one. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies its role in setting up a contrast.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Contrariwise" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating opposition or contrast. However, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's less common in modern English and leans towards a more formal or stylized tone. Consequently, while grammatically correct, it should be used judiciously, with consideration given to the context and audience. Common alternatives include phrases like "on the contrary" or "conversely", which may be more appropriate in contemporary writing and speech. Because there are no examples provided by Ludwig, the usage patterns and authoritative sources cannot be confidently assessed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the contrary

A more common and versatile phrase to express direct opposition.

conversely

Suggests a reversal of a previously stated idea or situation.

in contrast

Highlights differences between two things.

by contrast

Emphasizes the opposite nature of something compared to something else.

quite the opposite

Indicates a complete reversal of what was previously mentioned.

just the reverse

Similar to "quite the opposite" but with a slightly different emphasis.

on the flip side

An informal idiom to introduce an opposing viewpoint.

rather

Implies a preference for an alternative to what was previously stated.

not so

A simple way to negate a previous statement.

au contraire

A French phrase that directly translates to "on the contrary", often used for stylistic effect.

FAQs

How can I use "contrariwise" in a sentence?

"Contrariwise" is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or reverses a previous one. For example: "It appears to be raining; contrariwise, the sun is shining brightly."

What phrases are similar to "contrariwise"?

Alternatives to "contrariwise" include "on the contrary", "conversely", or "in contrast", each offering slightly different nuances of opposition.

Is "contrariwise" a common word in modern English?

"Contrariwise" is not as frequently used as its alternatives like "on the contrary". It's considered more formal and less common in everyday speech and writing.

What's the difference between "contrariwise" and "on the contrary"?

While both phrases indicate opposition, "contrariwise" has a more archaic and formal feel compared to the more common and versatile phrase "on the contrary".