First Known Use: 1567
Dictionary
contravene
verb con·tra·vene \ˌkän-trə-ˈvēn\
: to fail to do what is required by (a law or rule)
con·tra·venedcon·tra·ven·ing
Full Definition of CONTRAVENE
transitive verb
See contravene defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CONTRAVENE
Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French contrevenir, from Late Latin contravenire, from Latin contra- + venire to come — more at come
Related to CONTRAVENE
- Antonyms
- comply (with), conform (to), follow, mind, obey, observe
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
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