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Paradoxical Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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paradoxical

[หŒpรฆr.ษ™หˆdษ‘หk.sษช.kษ™l ]

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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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 Schrรถdinger'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.

Origin of 'paradoxical'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'paradoxical' originates from the Greek word 'paradoxos', meaning 'contrary to expectation, incredible'. The concept of paradox has been a subject of interest in philosophy and logic for centuries, with thinkers exploring the complexities of seemingly contradictory statements. Over time, 'paradoxical' has come to represent the intriguing nature of contradictions and unexpected outcomes.

See also: paradoxically.

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.