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contravene

verb
con·​tra·​vene | \ ËŒkän-trÉ™-ˈvÄ“n How to pronounce contravene (audio) \
contravened; contravening

Definition of contravene

transitive verb

1 : to go or act contrary to : violate contravene a law
2 : to oppose in argument : contradict contravene a proposition
Other Words from contravene Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about contravene

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Other Words from contravene

contravener noun

Choose the Right Synonym for contravene

deny, gainsay, contradict, contravene mean to refuse to accept as true or valid. deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of. denied the charges gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said. no one can gainsay her claims contradict implies an open or flat denial. her account contradicts his contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility. laws that contravene tradition

Did You Know?

Contravene is most often used in reference to laws. So a government may take a company to court claiming that its policies are in contravention of national labor laws. The contravention of copyright laws is a big topic today especially where electronic information is involved. And a country might be punished if a trade organization finds that it's contravening international trade agreements.

Examples of contravene in a Sentence

The overcrowded dance club contravened safety regulations. the unauthorized reproduction of the image contravenes copyright laws

Recent Examples on the Web

 This is now routine for rescue boats because Italy, by the will of its anti-immigrant minister of home affairs, Matteo Salvini, has denied the ships authorization to dock in its harbors, contravening international law. — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, "A stranded migrant rescue ship used its route to send a secret message to the world," 21 Aug. 2019 Stokes is also suing the State of California, arguing that its failure to create a system for restoring gun rights to mentally healthy people who were committed to mental facilities in the past contravenes his right to have firearms. — Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, "Bay Area man, committed to psych ward as teen, sues to own guns," 13 Aug. 2019 There will be legal challenges to the new rule, because America is party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and because the change may contravene America’s own Refugee Act of 1980. — The Economist, "The White House ditches half a century of immigration law," 20 July 2019 And when Rybarikova double-faulted to bring up a first match point at 5-3 in the second, the decibel level rose with cheers -- and applauding on double faults usually contravenes tennis etiquette. — Ravi Ubha And Ben Church, CNN, "15-year-old Cori 'Coco' Gauff extends remarkable run at Wimbledon," 3 July 2019 Confucius Institutes are funded by the Chinese government and may not engage in activities that contravene Chinese law. — William A. Galston, WSJ, "Roll Back China’s Soft-Power Campaign," 4 Dec. 2018 The presence of Pooh’s likeness would contravene Olympic rules of sponsorship and branding. — JerÉ Longman, New York Times, "The Greatest Figure Skater Ever Is Michael Jackson on Ice, Surrounded by Winnie the Poohs," 4 Jan. 2018 The decision was the latest in a series of high-profile declarations by Mr. Trump contravening actions and statements by agencies and even by his own appointees on issues ranging from foreign policy to election meddling, and drew... — Michael R. Gordon And Ian Talley, WSJ, "Trump Blocks Large-Scale Sanctions Planned Against North Korea," 22 Mar. 2019 Never mind that targeting specific countries this way could contravene America’s commitments under the World Trade Organization. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "An ‘Old Testament Approach’ to Trade," 23 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contravene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of contravene

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for contravene

Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French contrevenir, from Late Latin contravenire, from Latin contra- + venire to come — more at come

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More Definitions for contravene

contravene

verb
How to pronounce contravene (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of contravene

formal : to fail to do what is required by (a law or rule)

See the full definition for contravene in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on contravene

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contravene

Spanish Central: Translation of contravene

Nglish: Translation of contravene for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of contravene for Arabic Speakers

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