paradoxical
adjective
par·a·dox·i·cal
ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl 
ˌpa-rə-
1
2
: not being the normal or usual kind
a paradoxical pulse
paradoxical drug reactions
Examples of paradoxical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Fermi Paradox, which posits that the absence of observable extraterrestrial civilizations is paradoxical given the vastness and age of the universe and the potential for other intelligent life, exemplifies this tendency to overlook the possibility of contact.
—
David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025
Explaining something as abstract and paradoxical as the Trinity to a largely illiterate population required an approach that was both intuitive and memorable.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Monica Potts: This has always been part of the paradoxical thing about his appeal, though, right?
—ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025
This paradoxical behavior highlights the complicated emotional landscape of adolescence, where the need for connection and validation often clashes with a fear of judgment.
—Shrikant Nagori, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paradoxical
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Chauvet, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2025
Explaining something as abstract and paradoxical as the Trinity to a largely illiterate population required an approach that was both intuitive and memorable.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Monica Potts: This has always been part of the paradoxical thing about his appeal, though, right?
—ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025
This paradoxical behavior highlights the complicated emotional landscape of adolescence, where the need for connection and validation often clashes with a fear of judgment.
—Shrikant Nagori, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paradoxical
Cite this Entry
“Paradoxical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paradoxical. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
paradoxical
adjective
par·a·dox·i·cal
ˌpar-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl
variants
also paradoxic
: not being the normal or usual kind
a paradoxical embolism
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share