contra-
Prefix meaning against
Contra- is a prefix meaning against or opposite: contradict, contraband, contraindicated.
It forms words expressing opposition, contrast, or reversal.
In music, a contrabass or contrabassoon plays an octave lower than the standard instrument.
Contra appears as a standalone noun for opponents of a regime, especially the U.S.-backed rebels who fought Nicaragua's Sandinista government in the 1980s.
Simultaneous independent melodies
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- againstIn opposition to
- opposingStanding against something
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
reverse · inverse · conflicting · adversarial · antagonistic · dissent · rebut · dispute
Folk dance in facing lines
- callerOne who phones
- longwaysAlong the longest dimension
- squaresFour-sided equal figures
- reelsCylindrical winding devices
swing · promenade · dosido · folk · partner · set · figures · colonial
Nicaraguan anti-government fighters
- NicaraguaCountry with capital Managua
- ReaganAmerican presidential surname
- SandinistasNicaraguan revolutionary political party
- covertIntentionally concealed
rebels · guerrilla · CIA · funding · scandal · Cold War · insurgents · Honduras
Largest bowed string instrument
- contrabassoonLowest orchestral woodwind
- lowNot elevated
- registerRecord officially; vocal range
- deepFar from surface
bass · voice · instrument · range · double bass · alto · baritone · orchestral
Direct goods-for-goods exchange
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- tradeExchange of commodities
- offsetCompensate by opposing force
- reciprocalShared between two parties
advertising · media · swap · in-kind · compensation · agreement · transaction · sponsorship
counterpoint
Simultaneous independent melodies
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- againstIn opposition to
- opposingStanding against something
antithesis · reverse · inverse · conflicting · adversarial · antagonistic · dissent · rebut · dispute · negate
contradance
Folk dance in facing lines
reels · swing · promenade · dosido · folk · partner · set · figures · colonial · New England
Contras
Nicaraguan anti-government fighters
- NicaraguaCountry with capital Managua
- ReaganAmerican presidential surname
- SandinistasNicaraguan revolutionary political party
covert · rebels · guerrilla · CIA · funding · scandal · Cold War · insurgents · Honduras · paramilitaries
contrabass
Largest bowed string instrument
- contrabassoonLowest orchestral woodwind
- lowNot elevated
- registerRecord officially; vocal range
deep · bass · voice · instrument · range · double bass · alto · baritone · orchestral · lowest
barter
Direct goods-for-goods exchange
reciprocal · advertising · media · swap · in-kind · compensation · agreement · transaction · sponsorship · goods
contra-pro-
Prefix meaning in favor
affirmative · confirmatory · corroborative · concordant · consonant
contra-co-
Prefix meaning together
con- · together with · alongside · pro-
- on the contraryIntroducing an opposing viewpoint
- contrast dyeImaging agent for visibility
- compare and contrastAnalyze similarities and differences
- in contrastShowing difference between things
- to the contraryIndicating disagreement with previous statement
- contraceptive usePreventing pregnancy intentionally
contra, contrary, contrast, contravene, contradict, contradiction, contradictory, contraband, contrariety