noun
paradox
PAIR-uh-dahks/ˈpærədɑːks/
Something that seems contradictory but may be true.
The drawing presents a paradox: each hand appears to create the other.
Etymology
A paradox was originally something contrary to accepted opinion or expectation. The meaning shifted toward an apparent contradiction that need not actually be false.
In context
But sometimes, the closer you start to get to total agreement, the less reliable the result becomes. This is called the paradox of unanimity.
More examples
- The book explores the paradox of feeling lonely in a crowd.
- Having more choices can leave us less satisfied—a familiar paradox.
- These paradoxes challenge our assumptions about what makes people happy.
Forms
paradox · paradoxes
paradoxical adjective — Seemingly contradictory but possibly true.
Similar words
- contradiction
- Involves incompatible claims; a paradox may only seem incompatible.
- enigma
- Something mysterious or puzzling, without necessarily involving a contradiction.