The prefix contra- means which of the following?

The prefix contra- means which of the following?

• A. With
• B. Towards
• C. Against
• D. Within

Answer: (C)

Contra- signals opposition or counteraction, indicating something is against something else. That is why it means “against” in many words: for example, to contradict is to speak against a statement, a contraindication is something that argues against giving a treatment, and contraception is about preventing conception. Other meanings don’t fit here: with is conveyed by con- (as in together or with), toward is reflected in prefixes like ad- or toward, and within is shown by intra- or endo-. So the best match for contra- is “against.”

Contra- signals opposition or counteraction, indicating something is against something else. That is why it means “against” in many words: for example, to contradict is to speak against a statement, a contraindication is something that argues against giving a treatment, and contraception is about preventing conception.

Other meanings don’t fit here: with is conveyed by con- (as in together or with), toward is reflected in prefixes like ad- or toward, and within is shown by intra- or endo-. So the best match for contra- is “against.”