contradictory message

[kɑːn.trə.dɪk.tə.ri ˈmes.ɪdʒ]
nounpl: contradictory messages
mensagem contraditória
1. A communication that contains conflicting or opposing statements, signals, or meanings that are mutually exclusive or inconsistent
The company sent a contradictory message by claiming to support sustainability while increasing plastic packaging.
A empresa enviou uma mensagem contraditória ao afirmar apoiar a sustentabilidade enquanto aumentava a embalagem de plástico.
2. Conflicting information or instructions that create confusion or uncertainty about the intended meaning
Her contradictory messages about the deadline confused the entire team about when the project was actually due.
Suas mensagens contraditórias sobre o prazo confundiram todo o time sobre quando o projeto realmente deveria estar pronto.
3. Mixed signals or communications that convey opposite meanings or intentions
Sending contradictory messages in a relationship can damage trust and create emotional distance.
Enviar mensagens contraditórias em um relacionamento pode prejudicar a confiança e criar distância emocional.
In Brazilian business culture, contradictory messages are seen as particularly problematic as they undermine 'confiança' (trust), which is fundamental to professional relationships. In American contexts, especially in politics and marketing, contradictory messaging is often scrutinized by media and the public, leading to accusations of hypocrisy or dishonesty. The concept is universally recognized as a communication failure that damages credibility.
NYC Slang
mixed signals / mixed bag
Synonyms / Sinônimos
conflicting messagemixed messageinconsistent messageopposing messageparadoxical message
Antonyms / Antônimos
consistent messageclear messagecoherent messageunified messagestraightforward message

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
mensagem contraditória
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
mensagem contraditória / recado confuso
More colloquial: 'recado confuso' or 'mensagem em cima da hora'
São Paulo
mensagem contraditória / sinal misto
Business and corporate contexts often use 'sinal misto'
Portugal
mensagem contraditória / mensagem conflituosa
Portuguese variant; 'conflituosa' is also commonly used

Related Words

contradictioninconsistencyconflicting signalsdouble messagemiscommunicationambiguous statement

Related Idioms & Phrases

sending mixed messages
speaking out of both sides of one's mouth
saying one thing and doing another
blowing hot and cold
contradicting oneself
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