WordValeparadox
a seemingly contradictory but possibly true statement
In more detail
1. (noun) a situation or statement that seems to contain two opposite or contradictory ideas, yet both may be true
2. (noun) something that is very surprising or difficult to understand because it has qualities that seem to contradict each other
Examples
- It's a paradox that the more you try to sleep, the harder it becomes to fall asleep.
- The company faced a paradox: they needed to spend money to save money.
How to use paradox
A paradox describes something containing opposing or contradictory elements that somehow coexist or are both true, often creating intellectual tension or puzzlement. It is used in logic, philosophy, literature, and everyday discourse to highlight genuine conceptual puzzles or seeming impossibilities that challenge conventional understanding. Unlike a simple contradiction, a paradox invites explanation rather than dismissal.
Common phrases
- apparent paradox
- logical paradox
- paradox of choice
- embrace the paradox
- resolve a paradox
Synonyms
contradiction · anomaly · puzzle · enigma · conundrum
Word family
paradoxical (adjective) · paradoxically (adverb) · paradoxist (noun, rare)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use 'paradox' for any surprise or unexpected outcome, but a true paradox involves inherent contradiction or logical tension, not merely something that defies expectation.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD