paradoxical

adjective

par·​a·​dox·​i·​cal ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl 

ˌpa-rə-

1

a

: of the nature of a paradox

the paradoxical theory that global warming will lead to the next Ice Age

b

: inclined to paradoxes

2

: not being the normal or usual kind

a paradoxical pulse

paradoxical drug reactions

paradoxicality

ˌper-ə-ˌdäk-si-ˈka-lə-tē 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

paradoxically

ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

paradoxicalness

ˌper-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl-nəs 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

Examples of paradoxical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both spring from some primordial, paradoxical desire to see oneself and to lose oneself — to be acknowledged by the vast universe as something singular with meaning and purpose, and also to merge with that vastness, to overflow the constraints of one tiny body, one narrow soul. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 May 2026

There’s an almost paradoxical tension between the lushness of the melody and the hardness of the drums, between something very raw and something very sophisticated. —New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

But Griffiths says tourism in general puts islands like Fiji in a paradoxical position. —Michelle Duff, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026

Part of the appeal of female gladiators was their very paradoxical nature. —Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing paradoxical

• paradoxical sleep

Medical Definition

paradoxical

adjective

par·​a·​dox·​i·​cal ˌpar-ə-ˈdäk-si-kəl 

variants also paradoxic

-sik 

: not being the normal or usual kind

a paradoxical embolism