contradictory answer

[/ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪktəri ˈænsər/]
noun phrasepl: contradictory answers
resposta contraditória
1. A response that contains statements or claims that are mutually exclusive or logically inconsistent with each other or with previous statements
The witness gave contradictory answers about what time he arrived at the scene.
A testemunha deu respostas contraditórias sobre a hora em que chegou ao local.
2. An answer that directly opposes or negates another answer given in the same conversation or context
First he said yes, then he said no—his contradictory answers confused everyone.
Primeiro ele disse sim, depois disse não—suas respostas contraditórias confundiram a todos.
3. A response that violates the principles of logic by asserting both a proposition and its negation
The defendant's contradictory answers undermined his credibility in court.
As respostas contraditórias do réu prejudicaram sua credibilidade em tribunal.
In legal and academic contexts across both Brazil and the USA, contradictory answers are taken very seriously as indicators of unreliability or deception. In Brazilian culture, the phrase 'resposta contraditória' is commonly used in journalism, law enforcement, and formal discourse to highlight inconsistencies in witness testimonies or political statements.
NYC Slang
flip-flopping answer / mixed signals
Synonyms / Sinônimos
conflicting answerinconsistent answeropposing answerself-contradictory answerparadoxical answer
Antonyms / Antônimos
consistent answercoherent answercompatible answerharmonious answerunified answer

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
resposta contraditória
Standard usage throughout Brazil
São Paulo
resposta contraditória / resposta que se contradiz
Formal business and legal contexts often use both forms
Rio de Janeiro
resposta contraditória / resposta confusa
May also use 'resposta confusa' in casual speech
Portugal
resposta contraditória / resposta contraditória
Same as Brazilian Portuguese in formal contexts

Related Words

contradictioninconsistencyparadoxlogical fallacyantithesisconflicting statement

Related Idioms & Phrases

speak with a forked tongue
have it both ways
blow hot and cold
contradict oneself
talk out of both sides of one's mouth
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