paradox

noun

ˈper-ə-ˌdäks How to pronounce paradox (audio)
Definition of paradoxnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paradox The argument about finances produced one of the hearing’s central paradoxes. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 The phrase cradles this paradox; depending on the context, the phrase could mean bliss or tragedy. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 That paradox is at the heart of why Curry’s work will always endure. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 This paradox—a longing for beauty to be distributed equally, even though it cannot be diluted for ease of distribution, and might even require rarity—is why the period continues to fascinate me. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paradox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paradox
  1. dichotomy
  2. mystery
  3. contradiction
  4. enigma
  5. incongruity
Noun
  • The experiment falls into the growing dichotomy of how AI is addressed and used on campus.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The mitigation-versus-adaptation split characterizes a lot of climate action, but few people outside of those actively working on climate change think of this dichotomy.
    — Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of dichotomy
Noun
  • Narrowing the superconductivity mystery The result also helps rule out a simple conventional explanation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Sinéty developed a knack for finding within quotidian domestic and village scenes—a woman brushing her hair, a picnic in the sun—a dreamlike sense of mystery.
    — Felix Bazalgette, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of mystery
Noun
  • The secret heart of the story is this man’s attempt to endure these contradictions or the inner noise of such a life.
    — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Pattinson plays him like a man whose voice and demeanor could change at will, an ambitious morass of contradictions.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of contradiction
Noun
  • Dark matter, meanwhile, is thought to be the glue that holds galaxies and other massive structures in the universe together, but again, its nature is an enigma and its existence remains unproven.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Its findings could also unlock clues about dark energy and dark matter, and some of the universe’s biggest enigmas.
    — Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of enigma
Noun
  • Listeners seemed to delight in the incongruity—a semipopular rapper suddenly sounded nothing like himself.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • To them, cartoons are just a part of life, and that incongruity generates much of the film’s humor.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of incongruity

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paradox
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Cite this Entry

“Paradox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paradox. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on paradox

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paradox

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