All 13 Uses of

contrary

in

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

So till I have proof to the contrary, I'll deny that baleen whales, sperm whales, or unicorns can do any such thing.†
Chpt 1 *

On the contrary, my respect is due you.†
Chpt 1 *

on the contrary = an expression used to intensify denial of an idea

"On the contrary, professor," the harpooner replied, not wanting to give in.†
Chpt 1

On the contrary, sir, with this rifle every shot is fatal; and as soon as the animal is hit, no matter how lightly, it falls as if struck by lightning.†
Chpt 1

And, contrary to custom, it executed such a maneuver several times during that day of January 19.†
Chpt 1 *

contrary to = in opposition to

Only, contrary to plants on shore, these tree forms become attached to rocks on the seafloor by heading from top to bottom.†
Chpt 1

Perhaps that this approaching shore was too close for comfort, contrary to the Canadian's views in which it still seemed too far away.†
Chpt 2

But nowadays steamers providing service between Suez and the South Seas have nothing to fear from the fury of this gulf, despite the contrary winds of its monsoons.†
Chpt 2

Then, contrary to custom, he ordered that both panels in the lounge be opened, and going from the one to the other, he carefully observed the watery mass.†
Chpt 2

contrary to = in opposition to

Certainly I had no complaints to register with him, on the contrary.†
Chpt 2

on the contrary = an expression used to intensify denial of an idea

The cold-temperature poles and the geographical poles don't coincide in either the northern or southern hemispheres, and until proof to the contrary, we can assume these two spots on the earth feature either a continent or an ice-free ocean.†
Chpt 2

Nevertheless, contrary to my expectations, the Nautilus definitely began to move backward.†
Chpt 2

contrary to = in opposition to

Definitions:

(1) (contrary as in: a contrary idea)
different (perhaps opposite or mutually exclusive)

In formal logic, contrary propositions or contrary arguments describe two things that cannot both be true. They might be described as mutually exclusive. For example, a pet cannot be both a cat and a dog. It doesn't need to be either, but if it is one, it cannot be the other. So the statement that a pet is a cat and the statement that the same pet is a dog, are contrary statements.
(2) (contrary as in: a contrary personality)
disagreeable -- typically in reference to someone's personality
(3) (contrary to as in: contrary to)
in opposition to

You could also think of this as meaning, despite, or in spite of, or in conflict with; but since a common meaning of contrary is opposite, you many find it easiest to think of contrary to as in opposition to.
(4) (on the contrary as in: on the contrary)
an expression used to intensify denial of an idea

More rarely, on the contrary is used to oppose an idea contained in what was just said rather than to oppose what was literally said. Here is an example: "I will not pay you for the work. On the contrary, I may sue you for damages." Suing for damages does not oppose not paying, but it does oppose the idea of paying.
(5) (to the contrary as in: to the contrary)
with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
(6) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)