3 meanings, 8 uses
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1 —2 uses as in:
contrary to
Definition
in opposition to
- I asked him if he didn't know it was contrary to law; and that slaves were whipped and imprisoned for teaching each other to read.13 — The Church And Slavery (63% in)
contrary to = in opposition to
- He said it was contrary to their custom, but he would see that we had berths below; he would also try to obtain comfortable seats for us in the cars; of that he was not certain, but he would speak to the conductor about it, when the boat arrived.36 — The Hairbreadth Escape (83% in)
There are no more uses of "contrary to" flagged with this meaning in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —5 uses as in:
on the contrary
Definition
an expression used to intensify denial of an idea
- I was doing harm to no one; on the contrary, I was doing all the good I could in my small way; yet I could never go out to breathe God's free air without trepidation at my heart.41 — Free At Last (1% in)
on the contrary = an expression used to intensify denial of an idea
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- On the contrary, I had always been kindly treated, and tenderly cared for, until I came into the hands of Dr. Flint.21 — The Loophole Of Retreat (26% in)
- On the contrary, you were taken into the house, and treated as one of us, and almost as free; and we, at least, felt that you were above disgracing yourself by running away.34 — The Old Enemy Again (27% in)
- I wished he had kept at a distance, but as he was here, and knew where I was, I concluded there was nothing to be gained by trying to avoid him; on the contrary, it might be the means of exciting his ill will.36 — The Hairbreadth Escape (10% in)
- This honorable gentleman would not have voted for the Fugitive Slave Law, as did the senator in "Uncle Tom's Cabin;" on the contrary, he was strongly opposed to it; but he was enough under its influence to be afraid of having me remain in his house many hours.40 — The Fugitive Slave Law (97% in)
There are no more uses of "on the contrary" flagged with this meaning in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
3 —1 use as in:
to the contrary
Definition
with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
- Meantime, we would take it for granted that all were friends, till they proved to the contrary.31 — Incidents In Philadelphia (2% in)
to the contrary = with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
There are no more uses of "to the contrary" flagged with this meaning in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.
Typical Usage
(best examples)