paradoxical

adjective

par·​a·​dox·​i·​cal ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl How to pronounce paradoxical (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
1
a
: of the nature of a paradox
the paradoxical theory that global warming will lead to the next Ice Age
b
: inclined to paradoxes
2
: not being the normal or usual kind
a paradoxical pulse
paradoxical drug reactions
paradoxicality noun
paradoxically adverb
paradoxicalness noun

Examples of paradoxical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Unfortunately, humans are neurotic creatures who are quick to catastrophize about the unknown, and our tendency thus far has been a paradoxical mixture of dismissiveness and fearmongering. Christian Perry, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Cuomo said the paper focuses on cancer and cardiovascular disease because they are associated with the majority of deaths around the world and there are conditions in which paradoxical observations between prevention and survival have been most observed. Noah Lyons, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025 Cuomo said the paper focuses on cancer and cardiovascular disease because they are associated with the majority of deaths around the world and there are conditions in which paradoxical observations between prevention and survival have been most observed. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025 This leads to paradoxical situations. ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paradoxical

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of paradoxical was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Paradoxical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradoxical. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

paradoxical

adjective
par·​a·​dox·​i·​cal ˌpar-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl How to pronounce paradoxical (audio)
variants also paradoxic
: not being the normal or usual kind
a paradoxical embolism

More from Merriam-Webster on paradoxical

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