JISUPOSTEnglish
ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Paradox

/ˈpæ.ɹəˌdɒks/ · noun

Meaning

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

Definitions by Sense

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

Example Sentences

"This sentence is false" is a paradox.
The active sense of living which we all enjoy, before reflection shatters our instinctive world for us, is self-luminous and suggests no paradoxes.
According to one version of an ancient paradox, an Athenian is supposed to say "I am a liar." It is then argued that if the statement is true, then he is telling the truth, and is therefore not a liar […]
It is an interesting paradox that drinking a lot of water can often make you feel thirsty.
The most fundamental paradox is that if we're never to use force, we must be prepared to use it and to use it successfully.
Not having a fashion is a fashion; that's a paradox.
How quaint the ways of Paradox! / At common sense she gaily mocks! / Though counting in the usual way years twenty-one I've been alive, / Yet reck'ning by my natal day, / Yet reck'ning by my natal day, / I am a little boy of five!
He is a paradox; you would not expect him in that political party.

Synonyms for paradox

shockerjuxtapositioncontradictionpuzzlequandaryriddleenigmakoanreverse psychology

Antonyms for paradox

Related Words

contrastparadoxicaldilemmacontradictorycontradictionanomalydiscrepancyaberrationironyinconsistencynonsenseoxymoronabsurditysatireconflicttravestyantinomyincongruityconundrumriddle

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Add this word and synonyms to Word SearchSynonyms and antonymsBetter words by context

Frequently Asked Questions

What does paradox mean?

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

What is a synonym for paradox?

Common synonyms include shocker, juxtaposition, contradiction, puzzle.

What is the opposite of paradox?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use paradox in a sentence?

"This sentence is false" is a paradox.

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.