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Contravene Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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contravene

[ˌkɒntrəˈviːn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

legal

To contravene something means to do something that is not allowed by a law or rule.

Synonyms

breach, disobey, violate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
contravene

Used in legal and formal settings, often related to laws, regulations, or agreements.

  • He was fined for contravening the new building regulations
  • The company was found to contravene international trade laws
violate

Commonly used when talking about laws, rights, or moral and ethical standards. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • He was arrested for violating traffic laws
  • The company violated employees' privacy rights
breach

Commonly used in legal, formal, and business contexts to describe breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.

  • The data breach affected millions of users
  • They were accused of breaching the contract
disobey

Used in general, everyday situations, often with children, pets, or when talking about rules and orders.

  • The child disobeyed his parents and stayed out late
  • Soldiers must not disobey orders from their superiors

Examples of usage

  • The company was fined for contravening environmental regulations.
  • He contravened the terms of his probation by leaving the country without permission.
Context #2 | Verb

formal

To contravene can also mean to conflict with or go against something, such as a principle or belief.

Synonyms

conflict with, defy, oppose.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
contravene

This word is typically used in legal or formal contexts to describe actions that violate laws, rules, or agreements.

  • The new policy contravenes international trade agreements.
  • His actions contravened the terms of his employment contract.
conflict with

This phrase is often used to describe situations where ideas, interests, or actions are incompatible or directly opposed to each other. It can be used in various contexts, including personal, professional, and social scenarios.

  • Her schedule conflicts with mine, so we need to find a new time to meet.
  • The new project conflicts with our existing commitments.
oppose

This word is used to describe actions or attitudes that show disagreement or resistance to something. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • Several lawmakers opposed the new legislation.
  • Many residents oppose the construction of the new highway.
defy

This word is used to describe actions that openly resist or challenge authority, rules, or expectations. It often has a rebellious or daring connotation.

  • The protesters defied the curfew imposed by the government.
  • She defied her parents' wishes by pursuing her dream of becoming an artist.

Examples of usage

  • Her actions contravene the values of the organization.
  • The decision to cut funding contravenes the government's promise to support education.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In law, to contravene a statute can result in penalties or legal action.
  • Contractual agreements often include terms that if contravened, could lead to loss of privileges or rights.

Culture

  • Many societal norms are designed to prevent actions that contravene group values, such as respect for others.
  • Literature often explores themes of rebellion when characters contravene societal expectations.

Psychology

  • Research shows that individuals may contravene rules when they perceive unfairness in authority.
  • Social pressures can lead people to contravene their own values in favor of conformity.

Pop Culture

  • Many films depict characters who contravene laws in pursuit of a personal goal, often leading to dramatic consequences.
  • The concept of contravening rules is central to many popular video games, where players challenge the system.

Origin of 'contravene'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'contravenire,' where 'contra' means 'against' and 'venire' means 'to come.'
  • It entered English usage in the late 15th century, initially used in legal contexts.

The word 'contravene' originated in the early 16th century from the Latin word 'contravenire', which means 'to oppose'. Over time, it evolved to its current usage in English to describe actions or behaviors that go against laws, rules, or principles.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,973, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.