as in dichotomy
someone or something with qualities or features that seem to conflict with one another
the paradox of fighting a war for peace
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Recent Examples of paradox
This was the real paradox of the Knicks.
—
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Nonetheless, the advertisement exemplifies the paradox of liberty and enslavement at the nation’s founding.
—Carolyn Zola, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Changes in the consumer mindset have created a bit of a paradox.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Sometimes the irony turns bitter and, with a typically Eastern European sensibility, highlights the paradoxes of institutions, as well as the madness and meanness born from the pursuit and preservation of power.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paradox
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Nonetheless, the advertisement exemplifies the paradox of liberty and enslavement at the nation’s founding.
—Carolyn Zola, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Changes in the consumer mindset have created a bit of a paradox.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Sometimes the irony turns bitter and, with a typically Eastern European sensibility, highlights the paradoxes of institutions, as well as the madness and meanness born from the pursuit and preservation of power.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paradox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paradox
Noun
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Highlighting the class and power dichotomy in New York was a major focus for the writers this time around.—
Trey Williams,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
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Allman − Southern rock pioneer and shy leader of The Allman Brothers Band − lived a life of dichotomy.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Noun
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There is also the mystery around the captivity of Otto Hightower, Alicent’s father.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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For those who prefer fiction to nonfiction, mysteries edge out science fiction and fantasy as the most popular genre overall, and they are favored by both women and readers who read the most books per year (though men are more likely to pick up sci-fi and fantasy).—
Fred Backus,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Walken brings his signature idiosyncratic charm to his portrayal of Frank, whose motivations make for a fascinating web of contradictions.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
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The business is moving, and moving deliberately, which in an industry that prices tail risk for a living is less a contradiction than a habit.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Senga has been an enigma for the Mets over the last few years.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
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Tucker, just 29, has been a complete enigma since signing a four-year, $240 million free-agent contract with the Dodgers this offseason.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Irony involves incongruity, while tragicomedy is about possible congruity—not mutual erasure but the capacity for the tragic and comic to coexist.—
Eugenie Brinkema,
ARTnews.com,
14 June 2026
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Nobody is more alive to the comic incongruity than the man himself.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paradox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paradox. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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