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 The paradox lies in the luxury sector's drive for exclusivity, often fuelling unsustainable consumption patterns. London Business School, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 The bicyclist’s paradox Bier points out in his paper that the same tailwind would have been a headwind on McLaughlin's descent; the question, therefore, is whether the strong tailwind effect on climbs was greater than the headwind on descents. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 25 Sep. 2024 This seems like a cheap excuse at first, but in fact, the Berry paradox and Kolmogorov complexity are related to one of the most unintuitive features of mathematics: some truths cannot be proven. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2024 This discomfiting paradox was the subject of another recent controversy outside the realm of politics, over a personal essay included in an issue of New York centered on the ethics of pet ownership. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paradox 

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

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of paradox was in 1533

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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 5 Oct. 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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