paradox

[par-uh-doks] / ˈpær əˌdɒks /

NOUN

contradiction, puzzle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absurdity ambiguity anomaly enigma inconsistency mystery oddity

STRONG

catch error mistake nonsense opposite reverse

WEAK

Catch-22

Antonyms

STRONGEST

normality regularity standard usualness

STRONG

accuracy certainty correction same success truth understanding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This may seem like a paradox at first blush.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

There is a cruel paradox at the heart of all this.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

The result is a kind of economic paradox: Households are liquid, but reluctant.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

For Warsh, the saga carries its own paradox.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Zeno himself didn’t have a proper solution to the paradox, nor did he seek one.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife