Definitions for Paradox
ˈpær əˌdɒkspara·dox

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.4 / 5 votes

1. paradoxnoun

   (logic) a statement that contradicts itself

   "`I always lie' is a paradox because if it is true it must be false"

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.8 / 10 votes

1. paradoxnoun

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

   "This sentence is false" is a paradox.

2. paradoxnoun

   A counterintuitive conclusion or outcome.

   It is an interesting paradox that drinking a lot of water can often make you feel thirsty.

3. paradoxnoun

   A claim that two apparently contradictory ideas are true.

   Not having a fashion is a fashion; that's a paradox.

4. paradoxnoun

   A person or thing having contradictory properties.

   He is a paradox; you would not expect him in that political party.

5. paradoxnoun

   An unanswerable question or difficult puzzle, particularly one which leads to a deeper truth.

6. paradoxnoun

   A statement which is difficult to believe, or which goes against general belief.

7. paradoxnoun

   The use of counterintuitive or contradictory statements (paradoxes) in speech or writing.

8. paradoxnoun

   A state in which one is logically compelled to contradict oneself.

9. paradoxnoun

   The practice of giving instructions that are opposed to the therapist's actual intent, with the intention that the client will disobey or be unable to obey.

10. Etymology: From paradoxe < paradoxum, from παράδοξος.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. PARADOXnoun

   A tenet contrary to received opinion; an assertion contrary to appearance; a position in appearance absurd.

   Etymology: paradoxe, Fr. παϱάδοξος.

   A glosse there is to colour that paradox, and make it appear in shew not to be altogether unreasonable. Richard Hooker.

   You undergo too strict a paradox,
   Striving to make an ugly deed look fair. William Shakespeare.

   In their love of God, men can never be too affectionate; it is as true, though it may seem a paradox, that in their hatred of sin, men may be sometimes too passionate. Thomas Sprat.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. paradox

   A paradox is a statement, concept or situation that, despite also seeming to be logical or reasonable, contradicts itself or presents a conflict with commonly accepted truths. These contradictions can often reveal hidden truths or inspire deeper thought and analysis, appearing as illogical initially but potentially solvable upon further thought.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:1.3 / 3 votes

1. Paradoxnoun

   a tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion; an assertion or sentiment seemingly contradictory, or opposed to common sense; that which in appearance or terms is absurd, but yet may be true in fact

2. Etymology: [F. paradoxe, L. paradoxum, fr. Gr. para`doxon; para` beside, beyond, contrary to + dokei^n to think, suppose, imagine. See Para-, and Dogma.]

WikidataRate this definition:2.3 / 3 votes

1. Paradox

   A paradox is an argument that produces an inconsistency, typically within logic or common sense. Most logical paradoxes are known to be invalid arguments but are still valuable in promoting critical thinking. However, some have revealed errors in definitions assumed to be rigorous, and have caused axioms of mathematics and logic to be re-examined. Still others, such as Curry's paradox, are not yet resolved. In common usage, the word "paradox" often refers to irony or contradiction. Examples outside logic include the Grandfather paradox from physics, and the Ship of Theseus from philosophy. Paradoxes can also take the form of images or other media. For example, M.C. Escher featured perspective-based paradoxes in many of his drawings.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Paradox

   par′a-doks, n. that which is contrary to received opinion, or that which is apparently absurd but really true.—n. Par′adoxer.—adjs. Paradox′ic, -al, of the nature of a paradox: inclined to paradoxes, said of persons.—adv. Paradox′ically.—ns. Paradox′icalness; Paradox′ides, a genus of trilobites; Par′adoxist; Par′adoxy, the quality of being paradoxical.—Hydrostatic paradox (see Hydrostatics). [Through Fr. and L., from Gr. paradoxon—para, contrary to, doxa, an opinion.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Paradox

   Dilema. Your little is a lot When you give your all.

   
   

   Submitted by anonymous on May 6, 2020  

2. ---

   Paradox

   Good words are worth much But cost little.

   
   

   Submitted by anonymous on July 2, 2020  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. paradox

   Song lyrics by paradox -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by paradox on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Contradiction
   • Logic

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce Paradox?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Paradox in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Paradox in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Paradox in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of Paradox in a Sentence

1. Norman O. Brown:

   In its famous paradox, the equation of money and excrement, psychoanalysis becomes the first science to state what common sense and the poets have long known -- that the essence of money is in its absolute worthlessness.

2. Winston Churchill:

   So they the Government go on in strange paradox, decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent.

3. Andrew Bernstein:

   For the first time in history, the rational and the good are fully armed in the battle against evil. Here we finally find the answer to our paradox; now we can understand the nature of the social power held by evil. Ultimately, the evil, the irrational, truly has no power. The evil men’s control of morality is transient; it lives on borrowed time made possible only by the errors of the good. In time, as more honest men grasp the truth, evil’s stranglehold will be easily broken.

4. Karl Wilhelm Friedrich von Schlegel:

   Irony is the form of paradox. Paradox is what is good and great at the same time.

5. Ida Rademacher:

   The paradox is that the economy is doing great but there is a disconnect between households and the economy, a country's financial system is a key determinant of whether an economy is fair or just.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Paradox
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Paradox
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=Paradox
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Paradox
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Paradox
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Paradox
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Paradox