51Թ

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View synonyms for

paradox

[par-uh-doks]

noun

  1. a statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

    “Less is more” is a paradox often repeated in the arts and other fields.

    It is a paradox of healthy grief that we must work at it while surrendering to it.

  2. any person, thing, or situation displaying an apparently contradictory nature.

    In the media the candidate was called a paradox—an unpopular populist.

    Synonyms: , ,
  3. a self-contradictory and false statement, especially one arising from seemingly acceptable premises and correct logical argument.

  4. time paradox.

  5. Also called paradox illusion.an optical illusion depicting an impossible object, often a two-dimensional figure that the viewer intuitively interprets as representing a three-dimensional one, but which cannot actually exist in three dimensions: brought to popular attention especially by the work of M. C. Escher.

  6. Archaic.an opinion or statement contrary to commonly accepted opinion.



paradox

/ ˈæəˌɒ /

noun

  1. a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that is or may be true

    religious truths are often expressed in paradox

  2. a self-contradictory proposition, such as I always tell lies

  3. a person or thing exhibiting apparently contradictory characteristics

  4. an opinion that conflicts with common belief

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

paradox

  1. A statement that seems contradictory or absurd but is actually valid or true. According to one proverbial paradox, we must sometimes be cruel in order to be kind. Another form of paradox is a statement that truly is contradictory and yet follows logically from other statements that do not seem open to objection. If someone says, “I am lying,” for example, and we assume that his statement is true, it must be false. The paradox is that the statement “I am lying” is false if it is true.

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Other 51Թ Forms

  • paradoxical adjective
  • paradoxal adjective
  • paradoxology noun
  • ˌ貹ˈdz澱 adjective
  • ˌ貹ˈdz澱ly adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of paradox1

First recorded in 1530–40; from Middle French paradoxe, from Latin paradoxum, from Greek 貹ádzDz, noun use of neuter of 貹ádzDz “contrary to expectation, unbelievable, beyond belief”; para- 1 ( def. ), orthodox ( def. )
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of paradox1

C16: from Late Latin paradoxum, from Greek paradoxos opposed to existing notions, from para- 1 + doxa opinion
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“It speaks to the various paradoxes around this — it’s a movement that ebbs and flows,” he said.

From

This paradox has left many, white Americans in particular, dizzy as they are forced to confront the harmful consequences caused by their belief in a country that never existed.

From

“The paradox. Everyone being confused about what the f— they’re supposed to do with their hearts. And what’s the right move? I found that very honest and I found it just so relatable.”

From

The paradox is that overall, the government is spending more – big tax rises in the autumn meant hefty cheques for public services.

From

But the essential Irish paradox is unchanged: We remain true to this claustrophobic little place, and also we want out.

From

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