paradox

noun

par·​a·​dox ˈper-ə-ˌdäks How to pronounce paradox (audio)
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.

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 That scene effectively summarizes the central paradox of the movie: Its sense of humor is stuck in junior high, while its agenda feels collegiate. Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Danielle Brooks Needed Physical Therapy, Chiropractor After Arrest Scene in The Color Purple 'Took a Toll' on Her Ferrera, 39, delivered one of the year’s most viral movie moments with an impassioned speech to Margot Robbie’s Barbie on the paradoxes of womanhood. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 The ease with which Cronenberg’s characters and his viewers yield to the sublime paradox of the frisson is revealing, for evidently even the most hardened domestication is still quick to crumble. Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024 But there’s an obvious paradox in that putting powerful AI into our skulls also brings its risks closer to home. Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2024 According to Markus, the paradox lies in success leading to tunnel vision. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024 In essence, the paradox of leading in an uncertain world is not a dilemma to solve but a dynamic tension to manage. Kathy Miller Perkins, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The paradox is that many of these critics, while reviling Trump’s tactics, rhetoric and motives, actually agree with his central point: Europe has for too long depended on the United States’ military might and geopolitical influence. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024 The paradox is that the head of D.H.S. can rarely please anybody. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paradox.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of paradox was in 1540

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Dictionary Entries Near paradox

Cite this Entry

“Paradox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradox. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

paradox

noun
par·​a·​dox ˈpar-ə-ˌdäks How to pronounce paradox (audio)
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 How to pronounce paradox (audio)
: an instance of a paradoxical phenomenon or reaction

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