usage - What is the difference between contravene, contradict, and controvert?


All three words seem to have similar meanings, but I am assuming the difference is that each may be more appropriate in different contexts. I am particularly interested in their use when talking about evidence, principles, or in the context of an argument, like:


"Contradictory evidence", "Contravening arguments", or "Controverting a position."


Here are the definitions I found (which may explain why I am confused about appropriate usage):



http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contravene
1. to go or act contrary to : violate "contravene a law"
2. to oppose in argument : contradict "contravene a proposition"


http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradict
1. to assert the contrary of : take issue with "contradict a rumor"
2. to imply the opposite or a denial of "your actions contradict your words"


http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controvert
1. to dispute or oppose by reasoning "controvert a point in a discussion"




Answer



All three words come to us from Latin, combining contra (against) with venire (come), vertere (turn), and dicere (say). Thus all three have a sense of opposition:



  • Contravene: infringe, come in conflict with, dispute. This usage is applied to violating a law or abridging someone's rights.

  • Contradict: to say the contrary or to be directly opposed.

  • Controvert: to engage in a dispute or make something a dispute, oppose


The OED quotes British biologist Thomas Huxley (the defender of Darwin's theory of evolution):



Are those conclusions so firmly based that we may not contravene them?



In this instance, contradict or controvert would make equal sense, but they are not always interchangeable:




  • Only contravene will do for the violations against, as in



    Serbia contravened the European Declaration of Human Rights




  • It is possible to dispute (controvert) a position without making arguments that directly oppose (contradict) it.

  • Only controvert has an intransitive use:

    Quakers do not controvert among themselves




  • Only contradict has a figurative use:

    Your arrogance contradicts your protestations of humility.





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