Etymology

Noun

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

   "This sentence is false" is a paradox.

   • 1. A counterintuitive conclusion or outcome.

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

        • 1983 May 21, Ronald Reagan, "Presidential Radio Address",

          The most fundamental paradox is that if we're never to use force, we must be prepared to use it and to use it successfully.

     2. A claim that two apparently contradictory ideas are true.

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

        • 1. A person or thing having contradictory properties.

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

             • 1. An unanswerable question or difficult puzzle, particularly one which leads to a deeper truth.
                  • 1. A statement which is difficult to believe, or which goes against general belief.
                       • 1. The use of counterintuitive or contradictory statements (paradoxes) in speech or writing.
                            • 1. A state in which one is logically compelled to contradict oneself.
                                 • 1. 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.
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                                        Usage notes

                                        A statement which contradicts itself in this fashion is a paradox; two statements which contradict each other are an antinomy. This use may be considered incorrect or inexact.
                                        • • • • This use may be considered incorrect or inexact.
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                                                    Synonyms

                                                    shocker juxtaposition, contradiction puzzle, quandary, riddle, enigma, koan reverse psychology
                                                    

                                                    Etymology

                                                    
                                                    From ,