paradoxical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paradoxical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, statement, or concept that seems contradictory or opposed to common sense but may still be true or valid. Example: "The idea that we must sometimes lose in order to win can be seen as paradoxical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Having spent decades trying to detect the use of performance-enhancing drugs, officials may soon be confronted with the paradoxical problem of detecting their non-use.The reason for this paradox is the placebo effect: believing a treatment to be effective is sometimes enough to make it so.

The Economist

For all the criticisms you might make of his leadership, they are all strangely paradoxical.

The Guardian - Opinion

The striking thing about the poster was paradoxical: it was a novelty on the one hand, and a harking back on the other.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's paradoxical that Spain, the biggest tourist destination after France and the United States, is practically unknown in China," said Kurt Grötsch, chief executive of Chinese Friendly International, whose endorsement is recognised in all 28 EU member states.

The Guardian

"This paradoxical unreal reality is a rich playground for horror".

The Guardian - Film

This has resulted in some paradoxical policy positions.

The Guardian

I am grateful to Hadley Freeman for highlighting the paradoxical attitude of the British towards alcohol (Alcoholism is tragic. So why can't Brits stop sniggering?, 4 June).

The Guardian

It's paradoxical because he was also a very strong person, a dominant person".

The Guardian

For Mrs Merkel now depends on either red or green to form a new government.In this section A new match for black Still a puppet master Budgetary blues Nasty fight ahead Preening Not so Calvinist any more Waiting for Angela ReprintsThis need shows what a paradoxical victory she won on September 22nd.

The Economist

There were both good and bad reasons for this paradoxical good cheer.First prize for gloom went to the business secretary Vince Cable, who told delegates that the country faced a crisis that was "the economic equivalent of war".

The Economist

More recently, the invention of nuclear weapons has brought about a paradoxical peace among superpowers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paradoxical" when you want to highlight a statement or situation that appears self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth or insight.

Common error

Avoid using "paradoxical" simply to describe something strange or unusual. Ensure there is a genuine element of self-contradiction, not just unexpectedness.

Linguistic Context

Paradoxical primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate the presence of seemingly self-contradictory elements that may nonetheless be true. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing situations, policies, and even personal qualities that exhibit this characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "paradoxical" is a common and versatile term used to describe situations or statements that appear self-contradictory but may contain a deeper truth. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, its usage spans various contexts, highlighting inconsistencies and prompting further exploration of complex subjects. For alternative phrasing, consider "self-contradictory", "counterintuitive", or "ironic" to best suit the nuance you aim to convey. Remember to reserve the word for genuine self-contradictions, rather than mere surprises.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-contradictory

Focuses specifically on the internal inconsistency of something.

internally inconsistent

Highlights the lack of coherence within a statement or idea.

seemingly contradictory

Emphasizes the appearance of opposition, which might not be real.

counterintuitive

Describes something that goes against what one would expect.

anomalous

Implies a deviation from the norm or what is expected.

absurd

Highlights the illogical or unreasonable nature of something.

ironic

Focuses on the contrast between expectation and reality.

incongruous

Suggests a mismatch or lack of harmony between elements.

confounding

Indicates something that is puzzling or confusing.

enigmatic

Implies mystery or difficulty in understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "paradoxical" in a sentence?

You can use "paradoxical" to describe situations or statements that seem contradictory. For example, "It's "paradoxical" that increasing speed limits could lead to fewer accidents."

What words can I use instead of "paradoxical"?

Alternatives include "self-contradictory", "counterintuitive", or "ironic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "very paradoxical"?

Yes, you can use adverbs of degree like "very" to modify "paradoxical" to emphasize the extent of the contradiction. For example, "The situation is "very paradoxical"."

What's the difference between "paradoxical" and "contradictory"?

"Paradoxical" implies a statement that appears self-contradictory but may contain a deeper truth, while "contradictory" simply means that two statements are opposed and cannot both be true.