Contrariness: meaning, definitions and examples

Describes a tendency to do things in an opposite way or resist direction without a clear reason.

• Her contrariness made team coordination difficult
• Because of his contrariness, even routine tasks took longer to complete

Refers to active resistance or disagreement with an idea, plan, or process.

• There was considerable opposition to the new policy
• She faced strong opposition from her colleagues when she proposed the changes

Indicates a stubbornness that is fixated on holding one's own view, often leading to an unwillingness to change despite reason or logic.

• His obstinacy in refusing to apologize only made the situation worse
• The negotiations stalled because of their obstinacy

Conveys a willful desire to behave inappropriately or to reject what is considered good and acceptable, often with negative connotations.

• His perversity led him to make decisions that were harmful to everyone involved
• People were baffled by her perversity in spurning every good opportunity

Often used when describing someone's tendency to do the opposite of what is expected or asked. It can be negative if it causes problems.

• Her contrariness makes it difficult to plan anything with her, as she always does the opposite of what we agree on

Often refers to a lack of steady or reliable patterns in behavior, performance, or quality. It is usually negative because it implies unreliability.

• Her inconsistency in attending meetings makes it hard for the team to rely on her

Describes the inability to foresee someone's actions or the outcome of a situation. It can be neutral or negative, depending on the context.

• The unpredictability of the weather means we need to prepare for all possibilities

Commonly used to describe whimsical, impulsive behavior that changes without warning. It is often used in a neutral or slightly negative sense.

• The capriciousness of his decisions means that no one can predict what he will do next