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
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Recent Examples of dichotomy
That dichotomy would sound overly simplistic to Ruth’s ears.
—
Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Wolf had no interest in being a character in his own film, but the subject-director dichotomy that was playing out on camera would become key to understanding Reubens’ complexities.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
There’s a strange dichotomy happening in men’s grooming.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2025
As the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches in late August, viewers can expect a slew of reflective documentaries confronting that fathomable/unfathomable dichotomy — projects made without expectations of equaling When the Levees Broke, but with a different imperative in mind.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dichotomy
Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Wolf had no interest in being a character in his own film, but the subject-director dichotomy that was playing out on camera would become key to understanding Reubens’ complexities.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025
There’s a strange dichotomy happening in men’s grooming.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2025
As the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches in late August, viewers can expect a slew of reflective documentaries confronting that fathomable/unfathomable dichotomy — projects made without expectations of equaling When the Levees Broke, but with a different imperative in mind.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dichotomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dichotomy
paradox
Noun
-
Giorgio Armani, the designer whose creations are at the same time classic and revolutionary, represents a paradox in the world of fashion.—
Joseph Giovannini,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
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Sunstein warns against paradoxes, where well-meaning but rigid rules lead to enforcement paralysis.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dichotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dichotomy. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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