paradoxical
/,pærə'dɔksikəl/
Definition
Adjective: - Seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true: Describing a statement, situation, or quality that appears to be self-contradictory or to defy logic, yet may express a deeper or unexpected truth.
Usage
The adjective "paradoxical" is used to describe a statement, fact, or situation that seems illogical or impossible because it contains two opposing ideas, but which, upon closer examination, can be understood as true or valid. It often highlights the complex or surprising nature of reality.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Paradoxical intention: A therapeutic technique in psychology where a client is encouraged to engage in or wish for the very behavior or symptom they fear, to reduce the anxiety associated with it.
- The therapist used paradadoxical intention to treat the patient's insomnia by telling him to try to stay awake.
- Paradoxical sleep: Another term for REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the stage of sleep associated with dreaming, where the brain is active but the body's muscles are paralyzed.
- During paradoxical sleep, your eyes move rapidly but your body is immobile.
Variants and Related Words
- Paradox (n): A statement or proposition that, despite sound reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory.
- "This statement is false" is a classic paradox.
- Paradoxically (adv): In a paradoxical manner; in a way that is self-contradictory.
- Paradoxically, the less he tried to impress people, the more they liked him.
Synonyms
- Contradictory: Mutually opposed or inconsistent.
- Ironic: Happening in the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this.
- Oxymoronic: Containing a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings (e.g., "deafening silence").
Idioms and Phrases
- A paradox in terms: A phrase or expression that is inherently self-contradictory (similar to an oxymoron).
- The idea of a "silent scream" is a paradox in terms.
Adjective
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seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
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it is paradoxical that standing is more tiring than walking
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