BusinessAugust 23, 2026
contrarian
kon-TRAIR-ee-un
Definition
A person who habitually opposes or rejects popular opinion or current trends in favor of an independent, often opposite, perspective.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'contrarius,' meaning 'opposite,' it entered English via Old French to describe something placed against or in opposition to something else.
In the news
Thiel uses the term to describe an investor who reaches conclusions based on independent conviction rather than just trying to be different for the sake of opposition. It highlights the importance of thoughtful, evidence-based divergence from the market consensus.
Peter Thiel's 7 timeless rules for spotting winning businesses: Here is what investors must know
Read the full article ↗IndiaIPO