paradoxical

adjective

par·​a·​dox·​i·​cal ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl 

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

ˌper-ə-ˌdäk-si-ˈka-lə-tē 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

paradoxically

ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

paradoxicalness

ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl-nəs 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

Examples of paradoxical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Causes The cause of paradoxical insomnia is not known. —Smita Patel, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing paradoxical

• paradoxical sleep

Medical Definition

paradoxical

adjective

par·​a·​dox·​i·​cal ˌpar-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl 

variants also paradoxic

-sik 

: not being the normal or usual kind

a paradoxical embolism