paradox

noun

par·​a·​dox ˈper-ə-ˌdäks 

ˈpa-rə-

1

: one (such as a person, situation, or action) having seemingly contradictory qualities or phases

2

a

: a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true

b

: a self-contradictory statement that at first seems true

c

: an argument that apparently derives self-contradictory conclusions by valid deduction from acceptable premises

3

: a tenet contrary to received opinion

Did you know?

The ancient Greeks were well aware that a paradox can take us outside our usual way of thinking. They combined the prefix para- ("beyond" or "outside of") with the verb dokein ("to think"), forming paradoxos, an adjective meaning "contrary to expectation." Latin speakers used that word as the basis for a noun paradoxum, which English speakers borrowed during the 1500s to create paradox.

Synonyms

• contradiction
• dichotomy
• incongruity

Examples of paradox in a Sentence

For the actors, the goal was a paradox: real emotion, produced on cue. —Claudia Roth Pierpont, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2008

Again and again, he returns in his writing to the paradox of a woman who is superior to the men around her by virtue of social class though considered inferior to them on account of her gender. —Terry Eagleton, Harper's, November 2007

She was certainly far from understanding him completely; his meaning was not at all times obvious. It was hard to see what he meant for instance by speaking of his provincial side—which was exactly the side she would have taken him most to lack. Was it a harmless paradox, intended to puzzle her? or was it the last refinement of high culture? —Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady, 1881

Mr. Guppy propounds for Mr. Smallweed's consideration the paradox that the more you drink the thirstier you are and reclines his head upon the window-sill in a state of hopeless languor. —Charles Dickens, Bleak House, 1852-53

It is a paradox that computers need maintenance so often, since they are meant to save people time.

As an actor, he's a paradox—he loves being in the public eye but also deeply values and protects his privacy.

a novel full of paradox

Recent Examples on the Web

Namely, there's a paradox in that definitive expectation catalyzes the best ideas. —John Evans, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

The photographs smartly picture the classic irresistible force paradox. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

Learning more about how consequential my own stress can be for my baby initially left me even more unnerved—an unfortunate paradox. —Daliah Singer, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024

This paradox neatly captures the challenge facing boards and HR departments. —Beth Kowitt, The Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin paradoxum, from Greek paradoxon, from neuter of paradoxos contrary to expectation, from para- + dokein to think, seem — more at decent

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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Kids Definition

paradox

noun

par·​a·​dox ˈpar-ə-ˌdäks 

1

a

: a statement that seems to go against common sense but may still be true

b

: a false statement that at first seems true

2

: a person or thing having qualities that seem to be opposites

paradoxical

ˌpar-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl

adjective

paradoxically

-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

paradox

noun

par·​a·​dox ˈpar-ə-ˌdäks 

: an instance of a paradoxical phenomenon or reaction