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Paradox

/ˈpaɹədɒks/

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

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📖 Definitions of "Paradox"

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."
4
A thing involving contradictory yet interrelated elements that exist simultaneously and persist over time.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Paradox"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
contrastnoun	(countable) A difference between two objects, people or concepts.
paradoxical	Having self-contradictory properties.
dilemmanoun	A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
contradictorynoun	That contradicts something, such as an argument.
contradictionnoun	(countable) A statement that contradicts itself, i.e., a statement that claims that the same thing is true and that it is false at the same time and in the same senses of the terms.
anomalynoun	A deviation from a rule or from what is regarded as normal; an outlier.
discrepancynoun	An inconsistency between facts or sentiments.
aberrationnoun	The act of wandering; deviation from truth, moral rectitude; abnormal; divergence from the straight, correct, proper, normal, or from the natural state.
ironynoun	(rhetoric) The quality of a statement that, when taken in context, may actually mean something different from, or the opposite of, what is written literally; the use of words expressing something other than their literal intention, often in a humorous context.
inconsistencynoun	The state of being inconsistent.
nonsensenoun	That which is silly, illogical and lacks any meaning, reason or value; that which does not make sense.
oxymoronnoun	(rhetoric) A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.
absurditynoun	(uncountable) The quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious truth, reason, or sound judgment.
satirenoun	(uncountable) A literary device of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change or highlighting a shortcoming in the work of another. Imitation, humor, irony, and exaggeration are often used to aid this.
conflictnoun	A clash or disagreement, often violent, between two or more opposing groups or individuals.
travestynoun	An absurd, grotesque, misrepresentative or grossly inferior likeness or imitation.
antinomynoun	(by extension) Any contradiction or paradox.
incongruitynoun	The state of being incongruous, or lacking congruence.
conundrumnoun	A difficult question or riddle, especially one using a play on words in the answer.
riddlenoun	A verbal puzzle, mystery, or other problem of an intellectual nature.