paradoxical

adjective

par·​a·​dox·​i·​cal ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl 

ˌpa-rə-

1

a

: of the nature of a paradox

the paradoxical theory that global warming will lead to the next Ice Age

b

: inclined to paradoxes

2

: not being the normal or usual kind

a paradoxical pulse

paradoxical drug reactions

paradoxicality

ˌper-ə-ˌdäk-si-ˈka-lə-tē 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

paradoxically

ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

paradoxicalness

ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl-nəs 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

Examples of paradoxical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The resort’s design celebrates the area’s unique topography, creating an atmosphere that although paradoxical in nature, feels both intimate and expansive. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Today, traditional notions of villainy have been replaced by complex, sometimes paradoxical, standards of what different groups find acceptable or threatening. —Jason Parham, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024

The music is full of contradictions, paradoxical meetings of tone possible due to the devoted performance of the idiosyncratic trio. —Pitchfork, 3 Dec. 2024

If the axiom of choice is regarded as false, paradoxical results arise with regard to real numbers. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing paradoxical

• paradoxical sleep

Medical Definition

paradoxical

adjective

par·​a·​dox·​i·​cal ˌpar-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl 

variants also paradoxic

-sik 

: not being the normal or usual kind

a paradoxical embolism