Home / Dictionary / paradox

paradox

/ˈpaɹədɒks/
noun
  1. An apparently self-contradictory statement, which can only be true if it is false, and vice versa.

    ""This sentence is false" is a paradox."

  2. A counterintuitive conclusion or outcome.

    "It is an interesting paradox that drinking a lot of water can often make you feel thirsty."

  3. A claim that two apparently contradictory ideas are true.

    "Not having a fashion is a fashion; that's a paradox."

Synonymsshocker, contradiction, juxtaposition, reverse psychology, enigma, koan

Practice "paradox" in context

WordNote uses spaced repetition across multiple quiz levels, from recognizing the meaning to recalling it in active practice.

Save to WordNote — it's free →

No credit card. No install required.

paradox — meaning, definition & examples | WordNote | WordNote