as in dichotomy
someone or something with qualities or features that seem to conflict with one another
the paradox of fighting a war for peace
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Recent Examples of paradox
Simpson’s paradox can occur in medical studies that revolve around the approval of a drug, for instance.
—
Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
This is the fundamental paradox of special-making for a comedian, and Pete Holmes filmed this special at the exact right time.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
When scientists try to make sense of quantum theory in an expanding universe, they are met with one confusing paradox after another.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
And when in doubt or if you’re paralyzed with the paradox of two choices, stick to room temperature.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paradox
Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026
This is the fundamental paradox of special-making for a comedian, and Pete Holmes filmed this special at the exact right time.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
When scientists try to make sense of quantum theory in an expanding universe, they are met with one confusing paradox after another.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
And when in doubt or if you’re paralyzed with the paradox of two choices, stick to room temperature.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paradox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paradox
Noun
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There’s a definite dichotomy between upstairs and downstairs.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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The dichotomy of a star both banned and celebrated perfectly encapsulates Ye’s decades long career.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And that's a bit of the mystery.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Exactly why these little cookies are so pricey is a mystery, as they are loaded with additives and taste very much like a bargain-bin, manufactured cookie.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Everybody is full of contradictions.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
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The album is full of strange, brilliant contradictions; Oklou slides masterfully between fun and eccentricity, pump and pathos.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Suga was an enigma to the producers.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
13 Apr. 2026
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Even as a unifying hypothesis was forming, the disease remained an enigma.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There is an incongruity that may be best understood as an irony.—
Aaron Matz,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Petzold marvelled at the incongruities.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paradox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paradox. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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