ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Paradox

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈpæ.ɹəˌdɒks/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Paradox is a noun meaning An apparently self-contradictory statement, which can only be true if it is false, and vice versa.

Meaning

An apparently self-contradictory statement, which can only be true if it is false, and vice versa.

More Meanings

  1. A counterintuitive conclusion or outcome.
  2. A claim that two apparently contradictory ideas are true.
  3. A thing involving contradictory yet interrelated elements that exist simultaneously and persist over time.
  4. A person or thing having contradictory properties.
  5. An unanswerable question or difficult puzzle, particularly one which leads to a deeper truth.
  6. (uncountable) The use of counterintuitive or contradictory statements (paradoxes) in speech or writing.
  7. (obsolete) A statement which is difficult to believe, or which goes against general belief.

Example Sentences

"This sentence is false" is a paradox.
Not having a fashion is a fashion; that's a paradox.
He is a paradox; you would not expect him in that political party.
It is an interesting paradox that drinking a lot of water can often make you feel thirsty.

Word Forms

Synonyms for paradox

Depending on context, synonyms include shocker, juxtaposition, contradiction, puzzle, quandary, riddle.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include contrast, paradoxical, dilemma, contradictory, contradiction, anomaly.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.