Contravene \Con`tra*vene"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Contravened}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Contravening}.] [LL. contravenire; L. contra + venire to come: cf. F. contrevenir. See {Come}.] 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. web1913

contravene v 1: go against, as of rules and laws; "He ran afould of the law"; "This behavior conflicts with our rules" [syn: {conflict}, {run afoul}, {infringe}] 2: deny the truth of [syn: {contradict}, {negate}] wn