on the contrary
AdverbWordNet 3.0
Adverb (1)
- contrary to expectations“he didn't stay home; on the contrary, he went out with his friends”Synonyms: contrarilyto the contrarycontrariwise
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Contrary \Con"tra*ry\, n.; pl. Contraries.
1.A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. [1913 Webster]
No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
2.An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
3.the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. See Converse, n., 1. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
4.(Logic) See Contraries. [1913 Webster]
On the contrary, in opposition; on the other hand. --Swift.
To the contrary, to an opposite purpose or intent; on the other side. "They did it, not for want of instruction to the contrary." --Bp. Stillingfleet. [1913 Webster]