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Paradoxical: meaning, definitions and examples

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paradoxical

 

[ˌpær.əˈdɑːk.sɪ.kəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

philosophy

Seemingly absurd or self-contradictory, but in reality expressing a possible truth. Paradoxical statements challenge our understanding and provoke deeper thought.

Synonyms

contradictory, illogical, inconsistent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
paradoxical

Use 'paradoxical' to describe situations or statements that seem self-contradictory or against common sense, yet might be true upon closer examination.

  • It seems paradoxical that standing is more tiring than walking
contradictory

Use 'contradictory' to describe situations, statements, or ideas that directly oppose each other.

  • Her statements were contradictory; first she said she liked coffee, then she said she didn't
inconsistent

Use 'inconsistent' to describe situations, behaviors, or statements that do not maintain the same pattern or conform to a regular set of rules.

  • His work schedule is inconsistent, sometimes he works mornings and other times he works nights
illogical

Use 'illogical' to describe something that lacks sense or clear, sound reasoning.

  • Believing the earth is flat is illogical given the overwhelming scientific evidence

Examples of usage

  • The concept of time travel is paradoxical because it raises questions about causality.
  • Her paradoxical behavior left everyone confused.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Having contradictory characteristics or qualities, often leading to unexpected or unconventional outcomes. Paradoxical behavior can be puzzling to others.

Synonyms

conflicting, contradictory, unexpected.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
paradoxical

This is used when something seems self-contradictory and doesn't make sense at first glance but reveals a deeper truth upon closer examination.

  • "The paradoxical nature of time travel in movies often confuses viewers
  • "
contradictory

This is used when one statement or idea is directly opposed to another, indicating a clear opposition or inconsistency.

  • "The witness gave contradictory statements to the police
  • "
conflicting

This is used when there are opposing ideas, interests, or feelings that are in direct opposition to each other.

  • "Their conflicting schedules made it hard to find a time to meet
  • "
unexpected

This is used to describe something that was unforeseen or not predicted, typically referring to events or outcomes.

  • "The unexpected rain caught everyone without umbrellas
  • "

Examples of usage

  • His paradoxical combination of shyness and boldness intrigued her.
  • It was paradoxical how the strict boss could also be incredibly kind.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Greek 'paradoxon', which means 'contrary to expectation'.
  • It has roots in the words 'para-' meaning beyond and 'doxa' meaning opinion or belief.
  • This term began being used in English around the early 17th century.

Literature

  • Many famous writers, like George Orwell and Albert Camus, used paradoxes to challenge readers' thinking.
  • In Shakespeare's works, characters often express paradoxical statements, like in the phrase 'I must be cruel only to be kind'.
  • The phrase 'less is more' is a common example of a paradox found in poetry and prose.

Psychology

  • Paradoxical thinking is used as a therapeutic technique to encourage clients to look at problems differently.
  • Sometimes, embracing a paradox can lead to increased understanding of complex feelings or situations.
  • Cognitive dissonance, where a person holds two conflicting beliefs, is a well-known psychological paradox.

Science

  • In physics, a thought experiment shows light can behave as both a wave and a particle, a paradox in understanding its nature.
  • Quantum mechanics has several paradoxes, like Schrödinger's cat, illustrating the strange behavior of particles.
  • In thermodynamics, the 'hot object can be cooled by a colder source' paradox is a fascinating study in energy transfer.

Pop Culture

  • The TV show 'Lost' often featured paradoxical situations where characters' choices led to unexpected outcomes.
  • The phrase 'it's the best of times, it's the worst of times' from Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities' is a famous example of a literary paradox.
  • Many songs, like 'Ironic' by Alanis Morissette, highlight paradoxical situations in everyday life.

Translations

Translations of the word "paradoxical" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paradoxal

🇮🇳 विरोधाभासी

🇩🇪 paradox

🇮🇩 paradoks

🇺🇦 парадоксальний

🇵🇱 paradoksalny

🇯🇵 逆説的 (ぎゃくせつてき)

🇫🇷 paradoxal

🇪🇸 paradójico

🇹🇷 paradoksal

🇰🇷 역설적인 (yeokseoljeog-in)

🇸🇦 مُتناقِض

🇨🇿 paradoxní

🇸🇰 paradoxný

🇨🇳 矛盾的 (máodùn de)

🇸🇮 paradoksalen

🇮🇸 þversagnakenndur

🇰🇿 парадоксалды

🇬🇪 პარადოქსული

🇦🇿 paradoksal

🇲🇽 paradójico

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,154, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.