Contravene, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Contravened; p.pr. & vb.n. Contravening.]
Etymology: [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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists contravene only as an antonym, under state.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.