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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 That transformation captures one of the paradoxes at the heart of the history of waste. — Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026 That is a paradox the trend cannot resolve on retailers’ terms. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Yet there is a paradox within Pachinko that is easy to miss amid its impressive historical sweep. — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 Still, Guo’s opinion about AI forcing people to work harder also illustrates the paradox of incorporating AI into the workforce. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 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
  • The next generation of retirement benefits may not be the dichotomy of DB or DC.
    — Jeff Stevenson, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The dichotomy between the white supremacist type, and the Muslim, ISIS-supporting type, and the way that these two types of extremists were treated by the government, was the idea for the original book.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of dichotomy
Noun
  • The Sox’s pitching plans are a daily mystery, and worries over Grant Taylor’s right arm falling off have become nightly debates in South Side bars.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Lucy’s constant sense of invention sometimes falters under the album’s new, megawatt spotlight, lacking the enticing mystery that gives their best music its power.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of mystery
Noun
  • Does this contradiction make Singapore a particularly rich setting for fiction?
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The number of independent sources matters, as do their authority, consistency, frequency and absence of contradictions.
    — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of contradiction
Noun
  • PBHs could help resolve other enigmas, too, for instance by acting as seeds for the rapid growth of supermassive black holes in the early universe.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • After decades of perspective-shifting literary retellings like Wide Sargasso Sea and The Mists of Avalon and the current trend of feminist Greek myths, Cathy is an enigma begging for some traumatic backstory to staple her flaws together.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of enigma
Noun
  • Both shows attempted to offer a perspective on authentic Italian style, with Milan's incongruities as an underlying theme.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Listeners seemed to delight in the incongruity—a semipopular rapper suddenly sounded nothing like himself.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 31 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on paradox

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paradox

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