German Conversation · Level 93
60 words
German word
widersprüchlich
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈviːdɐˌʃprʏçlɪç/
Meaning
- adjectivecontradictory
Example
Seine widersprüchlichen Aussagen verwirren mich.
His contradictory statements confuse me.
More examples
Die Berichte enthalten widersprüchliche Angaben.
The reports contain contradictory information.
Core concept
Two statements or actions point in opposite directions, so they cannot fit together as one consistent account.
Common phrases
widersprüchliche Hinweise
contradictory clues
widersprüchliche Angaben
contradictory information
Similar words
inkonsistent: Lacking consistency because parts of the same account or behavior do not match.
kontradiktorisch: Opposed in a way that makes two claims impossible to accept as true together.
ambivalent: Marked by mixed, opposing feelings or thoughts about one subject at the same time.
mehrdeutig: Unclear because one expression can be understood in several different ways.
Definition in German
Bezeichnet, dass Aussagen oder Verhalten so sind, dass sie sich gegenseitig widersprechen.
Word origin
Widersprüchlich derives from Widerspruch with the adjective suffix -lich; Widerspruch combines wider, meaning 'against', with Spruch, meaning 'saying' or 'pronouncement'.
Usage tips
- Widersprüchlich describes a quality, while sich widersprechen describes the act of contradicting, as in 'Die Aussagen widersprechen sich.'
Other meanings
- conflictingadjective
- inconsistentadjective
Opposites
- konsistentconsistentadjective
Related words
- Widersprüchlichkeitcontradictorinessnoun
- Widerspruchcontradictionnoun