contravene Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb go against, as of rules and laws
    run afoul; infringe; conflict.
    • He ran afoul of the law
    • This behavior conflicts with our rules
  2. verb deny the truth of
    negate; contradict.

WordNet

Con`tra*vene" transitive verb
Etymology
LL. contravenire; L. contra + venire to come: cf. F. contrevenir. See Come.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Contravened ; present participle & verbal noun Contravening
Definitions
  1. To meet in the way of opposition; to come into conflict with; to oppose; to contradict; to obstruct the operation of; to defeat.
    So plain a proposition . . . was not likely to be contravened. Southey.
  2. To violate; to nullify; to be inconsistent with; as, to contravene a law.
    Laws that place the subjects in such a state contravene the first principles of the compact of authority. Johnson.
    Syn. -- To contradict; set aside; nullify; defeat; cross; obstruct; baffle; thwart.

Webster 1913