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

The prevalence of those misgivings sets the stage for an uncomfortable, paradoxical summit in The Hague. —Joel Gehrke, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025

On the performative nature of authenticity, and why Trump exposes the paradoxical and unscientific meaning of the term. —Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

The effects of paradoxical insomnia are distressing. —Smita Patel, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025

Although the crisis did not spiral to the nuclear level, its rapid escalation showed the paradoxical effects of the countries’ ownership of nuclear weapons. —Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 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