Learn English – the difference between contravene, contradict, and controvert

usage

All three words seem to have similar meanings, but I am assuming the difference is that each may be more appropriate in different contexts. I am particularly interested in their use when talking about evidence, principles, or in the context of an argument, like:

"Contradictory evidence", "Contravening arguments", or "Controverting a position."

Here are the definitions I found (which may explain why I am confused about appropriate usage):

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contravene
1. to go or act contrary to : violate "contravene a law"
2. to oppose in argument : contradict "contravene a proposition"

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradict
1. to assert the contrary of : take issue with "contradict a rumor"
2. to imply the opposite or a denial of "your actions contradict your words"

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controvert
1. to dispute or oppose by reasoning "controvert a point in a discussion"

Best Answer

All three words come to us from Latin, combining contra (against) with venire (come), vertere (turn), and dicere (say). Thus all three have a sense of opposition:

  • Contravene: infringe, come in conflict with, dispute. This usage is applied to violating a law or abridging someone's rights.
  • Contradict: to say the contrary or to be directly opposed.
  • Controvert: to engage in a dispute or make something a dispute, oppose

The OED quotes British biologist Thomas Huxley (the defender of Darwin's theory of evolution):

Are those conclusions so firmly based that we may not contravene them?

In this instance, contradict or controvert would make equal sense, but they are not always interchangeable:

  • Only contravene will do for the violations against, as in

    Serbia contravened the European Declaration of Human Rights

  • It is possible to dispute (controvert) a position without making arguments that directly oppose (contradict) it.
  • Only controvert has an intransitive use:

    Quakers do not controvert among themselves

  • Only contradict has a figurative use:

    Your arrogance contradicts your protestations of humility.

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