of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms
two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty"
emphasis You can use quite the contrary to emphasize a previous negative statement, or when you are making a strong negative reply. I'm not a feminist, quite the contrary = quite the opposite
emphasis You can use on the contrary when you are disagreeing strongly with something that has just been said or implied, or are making a strong negative reply. `People just don't do things like that.' --- `On the contrary, they do them all the time.'
of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary terms"