antinomy

noun an·tin·o·my \ an-ˈti-nə-mē \

Definition of antinomy

plural antinomies

1 : a contradiction between two apparently equally valid principles or between inferences correctly drawn from such principles

2 : a fundamental and apparently unresolvable conflict or contradiction

antinomies of beauty and evil, freedom and slavery
—Stephen Holden

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antinomic

play \ˌan-ti-ˈnä-mik\ adjective

Recent Examples of antinomy from the Web

This demanded the forging of a new consciousness, one that would overcome the antinomies of subjective and objective, body and spirit, family and party.

— marci shore, New York Times, "The Russian Revolution Recast as an Epic Family Tragedy," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antinomy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.