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
This week, a new development created a striking dichotomy between how different government employees are treated.
—
John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
In regard to the long view of the playoff race, that dichotomy of options could mean the Heat competing with a likely still-rebuilding Grizzlies roster, or potentially contending with Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who will be 27 at the time of potential 2028-29 expansion.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Beginning in the 1980s, the short-long skirt dichotomy began breaking down as both options remained popular for wearers.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Mar. 2026
Thinking of men’s health and women’s health as a dichotomy may come instinctively, but proponents of the office strongly reject the idea that increased attention on men’s health would come at the expense of women’s.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dichotomy
John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
In regard to the long view of the playoff race, that dichotomy of options could mean the Heat competing with a likely still-rebuilding Grizzlies roster, or potentially contending with Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who will be 27 at the time of potential 2028-29 expansion.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Beginning in the 1980s, the short-long skirt dichotomy began breaking down as both options remained popular for wearers.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Mar. 2026
Thinking of men’s health and women’s health as a dichotomy may come instinctively, but proponents of the office strongly reject the idea that increased attention on men’s health would come at the expense of women’s.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dichotomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dichotomy
paradox
Noun
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The Peeps paradox The candy at the center of this policy fight is, by almost any objective measure, controversial on its own, before anyone mentions a single dye.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
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This contradiction is famously known as the black hole information paradox.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dichotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dichotomy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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