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

This paradoxical moral blindness makes meat-eaters view vegans and veganism as threats to their moral self-image and to the core of their group identity. —Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

The best approach would be the embodiment of a seemingly paradoxical term Brett has used for years: try easier. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025

Faced with unprecedented volatility, Chief Marketing Officers face a paradoxical challenge: deliver breakthrough campaigns with fewer resources than ever before – and do it with AI. —Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

While that might seem paradoxical at first (a blanket? —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 June 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