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paradox

noun

ˈper-ə-ˌdäks How to pronounce paradox (audio)
Definition of paradoxnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paradox As a rock star, Chrissie Hynde has always been a bit of a paradox — gnarly but cerebral, ferocious yet guarded. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 Twenty-five years later, that architecture presents something of a paradox. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026 To ask how much of the senator now in front of us is the man and how much is the injury is a cartoon of the Cartesian mind-body paradox. — Michael P.h. Stanley, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026 Construction—one of the world’s least productive industries—may present its own paradox. — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paradox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paradox
  1. dichotomy
  2. mystery
  3. contradiction
  4. enigma
  5. incongruity
Noun
  • 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
  • The dichotomy of hard and soft is something that Williams appreciates.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of dichotomy
Noun
  • The mystery endured for decades until investigators traced one of nearly 30 keys found on him to Jacksonville, Florida, where Betkouski had lived.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Alpöge has continued to explore other mathematical mysteries.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of mystery
Noun
  • In direct contradiction to Herzog, Zamir’s office stated that Azaria had never expressed sorrow or remorse about the killing.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • In a long answer, Piker struggled to square the contradiction.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of contradiction
Noun
  • Zelda remains an enigma, but increasingly an enigma flying some red flags.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Dark matter, meanwhile, is thought to be the glue that holds galaxies and other massive structures in the universe together, but again, its nature is an enigma and its existence remains unproven.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of enigma
Noun
  • Listeners seemed to delight in the incongruity—a semipopular rapper suddenly sounded nothing like himself.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • To them, cartoons are just a part of life, and that incongruity generates much of the film’s humor.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of incongruity

Browse Nearby Words

paradisiacal
paradox
paradoxes
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Cite this Entry

“Paradox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paradox. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on paradox

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paradox

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