paradoxical
adjective
par·a·dox·i·cal
ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl 
ˌpa-rə-
1
2
: not being the normal or usual kind
a paradoxical pulse
paradoxical drug reactions
Examples of paradoxical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The review’s authors cite cases of accidental overdose; paradoxical reactions such as agitation, extreme sedation and coma; and even death, particularly with pediatric formulations, because of accidental ingestions.
—
Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
According to Brie, the fast pace had the paradoxical effect of improving the performances, as everyone operated on pure instinct and fully committed at each moment.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 29 July 2025
That approach has given Hawley a paradoxical niche as a storyteller who specializes in adapting other people’s material — often from big franchises, or properties that would seem to defy adaptation — in ways that feel surprising and somehow original.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2025
Among them is the paradoxical situation Nashville will find itself in if the law is allowed to go into effect, Metro argues.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for paradoxical
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Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
According to Brie, the fast pace had the paradoxical effect of improving the performances, as everyone operated on pure instinct and fully committed at each moment.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 29 July 2025
That approach has given Hawley a paradoxical niche as a storyteller who specializes in adapting other people’s material — often from big franchises, or properties that would seem to defy adaptation — in ways that feel surprising and somehow original.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2025
Among them is the paradoxical situation Nashville will find itself in if the law is allowed to go into effect, Metro argues.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for paradoxical
Cite this Entry
“Paradoxical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradoxical. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
paradoxical
adjective
par·a·dox·i·cal
ˌpar-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl
variants
also paradoxic
: not being the normal or usual kind
a paradoxical embolism
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