as in paradox
someone or something with qualities or features that seem to conflict with one another
her outfit is a sartorial dichotomy: an elegant gown and ratty old tennis shoes
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Recent Examples of dichotomy
Desai’s multipart meet-cute lets her challenge neat old-world–new-world dichotomies.
—
Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
According to Han, the dichotomy between the brothers’ maturity wasn’t meant to vilify Jeremiah but is actually a realistic depiction of how young men mature.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025
Time for Antonio Conte to deliver Antonio Conte is a manager who embodies a curious dichotomy.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dichotomy
Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
According to Han, the dichotomy between the brothers’ maturity wasn’t meant to vilify Jeremiah but is actually a realistic depiction of how young men mature.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025
Time for Antonio Conte to deliver Antonio Conte is a manager who embodies a curious dichotomy.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dichotomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dichotomy
paradox
Noun
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The film lays bare the tensions and paradoxes of nuclear deterrence, said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, which advocates for nuclear arms control.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
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Consumers are caught in a paradox; the warnings are everywhere, yet the alternatives are nowhere.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dichotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dichotomy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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