Paradox: meaning, definitions and examples

🤔

Add to dictionary

paradox

[ˈpærəˌdɒks ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

philosophy

A paradox is a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.

Synonyms

anomaly, contradiction, enigma.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
paradox	A situation or statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but may in fact be true. Often used in literature, philosophy, and science to describe situations where two seemingly opposite truths coexist. The statement 'less is more' is a classic paradox. It is a paradox that technology can make us feel more connected yet more isolated at the same time.
contradiction	A situation where two statements or conditions are in direct opposition to each other, making it impossible for both to be true simultaneously. Often used in logical, literary, or rhetorical contexts. The politician's statement was a clear contradiction of his previous promises. Saying 'I always lie' is a contradiction because if the statement is true, it must be false.
anomaly	A situation or data point that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected, often used in scientific, technical, or analytical discussions. The data showed an anomaly that could not be explained by our current model. Finding a white raven in the wild is considered an anomaly.
enigma	Something or someone that is mysterious, puzzling, or hard to understand. Frequently used to describe complex problems, situations, or people. The origin of the ancient artifact remains an enigma to archaeologists. Despite knowing her for years, she remains an enigma to me.

Examples of usage

The paradox of tolerance states that if a society is tolerant without limit, its ability to be tolerant is eventually seized or destroyed by the intolerant.
The grandfather paradox is a hypothetical paradox in time travel which a person could go back in time and kill their own grandfather before their mother or father was conceived, thus preventing their own existence.
Zeno's paradoxes of motion are a set of philosophical problems generally thought to have been devised by Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea to support Parmenides's doctrine that there is no motion.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

logic

A statement that, despite apparently valid reasoning from true premises, leads to an apparently self-contradictory or logically unacceptable conclusion.

Synonyms

mystery, puzzle, riddle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
paradox	A situation or statement that seems contradictory or against common sense, yet might be true. It's a paradox that the more you give, the more you receive. This is a paradox where less is more in design.
riddle	A question or statement intentionally phrased to require clever or unexpected thinking in order to find the answer; often used in games or literature. The sphinx asked a riddle to travelers, 'What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?' Can you solve this riddle: What has keys but can't open locks?
puzzle	A problem or enigma that requires thought and effort to solve, often referring to a game or mental challenge. The crossword puzzle in today's newspaper is particularly challenging. He enjoys solving complex math puzzles.
mystery	Something that is difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify. The disappearance of the plane remains a mystery. Her sudden change in behavior is a mystery to everyone.

Examples of usage

The liar paradox is a classic example of a self-referential paradox, arising from the statement 'This statement is false.'
Russell's paradox is a famous paradox within set theory that arises when considering a set of all sets that do not contain themselves.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Greek 'paradoxon,' meaning 'contrary to expectation.'
It originally referred to statements that went against common opinion or accepted beliefs.
In philosophy, it began to describe scenarios where truths contradict each other, showcasing deeper insights.

Literature

Great writers like Shakespeare and Dostoevsky often used paradoxes to explore complex human emotions.
In 'The Catcher in the Rye', the protagonist expresses a paradox of wanting both freedom and belonging.
Poets frequently use paradoxes to create striking images and provoke thought, adding layers to their verses.

Science

In physics, Schrödinger's cat highlights the paradox of a cat being both alive and dead until observed.
The 'bootstrap paradox' in time travel refers to events where an object or information exists without being created, like a loop.
Paradoxes in mathematics, such as Russell's paradox, reveal inconsistencies in our understanding of sets.

Psychology

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological paradox where conflicting beliefs cause discomfort until resolved.
The 'paradox of choice' suggests that more options can lead to less satisfaction and more anxiety.
In therapy, embracing paradoxical intentions may help individuals alleviate fears by facing them directly.

Pop Culture

Movies like 'Inception' and 'The Prestige' utilize paradoxes to twist narratives and challenge viewers' perceptions.
Songs often embrace paradoxes, like 'less is more,' to convey complicated emotions in simple phrases.
In comic books, characters like Batman embody paradoxes, being a symbol of hope while operating outside the law.

Translations

Translations of the word "paradox" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paradoxo

🇮🇳 विरोधाभास

🇩🇪 Paradoxon

🇮🇩 paradoks

🇺🇦 парадокс

🇵🇱 paradoks

🇯🇵 逆説 (ぎゃくせつ)

🇫🇷 paradoxe

🇪🇸 paradoja

🇹🇷 paradoks

🇰🇷 역설 (逆說)

🇸🇦 مفارقة

🇨🇿 paradox

🇸🇰 paradox

🇨🇳 悖论 (bèi lùn)

🇸🇮 paradoks

🇮🇸 þversögn

🇰🇿 парадокс

🇬🇪 პარადოქსი

🇦🇿 paradoks

🇲🇽 paradoja

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,905 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8902 inertia
8903 engrossed
8904 nationals
8905 paradox
8906 dysfunction
8907 activists
8908 syllable
...