paradoxes

noun

plural of paradox
as in contradictions
someone or something with qualities or features that seem to conflict with one another the paradox of fighting a war for peace

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of paradoxes The argument about finances produced one of the hearing’s central paradoxes. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 Hinduism is a narrative religion; its mercurial wisdom is lightened and sweetened by stories, softened by ambiguities, sharpened by paradoxes. — Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026 Housed in remote data centers whose energy-intensive maintenance perpetuates the changing environmental conditions that threaten Tuvalu’s existence, the attempt to redeposit territory digitally drives home the paradoxes, and costs, of storage. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026 This is one of the defining paradoxes of the AI era. — Joseph Fowler, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Sometimes the irony turns bitter and, with a typically Eastern European sensibility, highlights the paradoxes of institutions, as well as the madness and meanness born from the pursuit and preservation of power. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 June 2026 Reflecting on these piercing paradoxes, Dusabejambo’s narrative (co-written with Delphine Agut) cannot but be shaped by them; there are no simple resolutions for a reality defined by ruptures and ragged edges. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 May 2026 The SoCal inclusion paradox One of the great paradoxes of Southern California is how a land that so celebrates diversity is also a place where extremist hate lurks in the shadows. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 Qualitative research enables researchers to deeply explore the tensions, ambiguities and paradoxes that characterize everyday life. — Ankolika De, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paradoxes
  1. contradictions
  2. mysteries
  3. incongruities
  4. enigmas
  5. dichotomies
Noun
  • These domestic policy contradictions will follow officials into this week's G20 meeting.
    — , CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Australian singer-songwriter seeks to strike a balance between life’s contradictions, desires and messes through raw lyrics, deceptively relaxed jangle rock and woozy folk-pop.
    — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of contradictions
Noun
  • However, its growing mysteries nudge it, paradoxically, toward the literal, leaving it with few places to go.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Its survey will produce huge amounts of data and could solve several cosmic mysteries, with potential achievements ranging from understanding dark energy to detecting exoplanets—and finding some things astronomers don’t even know about yet.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of mysteries
Noun
  • Petzold marvelled at the incongruities.
    — Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Ridge’s equal deftness at the high end and the low is one of many apparent incongruities that the winery has managed to balance comfortably.
    — Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of incongruities
Noun
  • Its findings could also unlock clues about dark energy and dark matter, and some of the universe’s biggest enigmas.
    — Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, now grown and with her adoptive father’s approval, the young woman sets off with a wealthy merchant to piece together the historical enigmas surrounding the ancient Sumpa kingdom.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 June 2026
Definition of enigmas
Noun
  • Farnaby’s work on projects like Paddington 2, Wonka and Ghosts well captures these kinds of dichotomies.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
  • One of the most persistent false dichotomies in tech policy is the belief that protecting users, particularly minors, requires invading their privacy.
    — Erin Mote, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of dichotomies

Browse Nearby Words

paradox
paradoxes
paragliding
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Cite this Entry

“Paradoxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paradoxes. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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