Synonyms of dichotomy

dichotomy

noun

dī-ˈkä-tə-mē 

as in paradox

someone or something with qualities or features that seem to conflict with one another

her outfit is a sartorial dichotomy: an elegant gown and ratty old tennis shoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paradox
• contradiction
• incongruity
• enigma
• mystery
• riddle
• conundrum
• puzzle
• antinomy
• puzzlement
• mystification

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dichotomy

The next generation of retirement benefits may not be the dichotomy of DB or DC. — Jeff Stevenson, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

The dichotomy between the white supremacist type, and the Muslim, ISIS-supporting type, and the way that these two types of extremists were treated by the government, was the idea for the original book. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

The collections showed a dichotomy of heritage meets contemporary life; intimacy meets provocation; belonging intersects with rootlessness, and memories, music, nature, street culture and personal histories become material for visual language. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

His understanding of humans as imperfect complex beings and looking at life beyond the dichotomy of individuals as good or bad. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026