paradoxical

[ par-uh-dok-si-kuh l ]
/ ˌpær əˈdɒk sɪ kəl /

adjective

having the nature of a paradox; self-contradictory.
Medicine/Medical. not being the normal or usual kind: Stimulants are a paradoxical, albeit effective, medication used for certain forms of hyperactivity.
Sometimes par·a·dox·al.

Origin of paradoxical

paradox + -ical

OTHER WORDS FROM paradoxical

Words nearby paradoxical

paradiso, paradoctor, parador, parados, paradox, paradoxical, paradoxical contraction, paradoxical diaphragm phenomenon, paradoxical embolism, paradoxical intention, paradoxical pulse

Definition for paradoxal (2 of 2)

paradox
[ par-uh-doks ]
/ ˈpær əˌdɒks /

noun

a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.
a self-contradictory and false proposition.
any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature.
an opinion or statement contrary to commonly accepted opinion.

Origin of paradox

1530–40; < Latin paradoxum < Greek parádoxon, noun use of neuter of parádoxos unbelievable, literally, beyond belief. See para-1, orthodox

SYNONYMS FOR paradox

3 puzzle, anomaly, riddle.

OTHER WORDS FROM paradox

par·a·dox·i·cal, par·a·dox·al, adjective par·a·dox·ol·o·gy, noun

British Dictionary definitions for paradoxal

paradox
/ (ˈpærəˌdɒks) /

noun

a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that is or may be true religious truths are often expressed in paradox
a self-contradictory proposition, such as I always tell lies
a person or thing exhibiting apparently contradictory characteristics
an opinion that conflicts with common belief

Derived forms of paradox

paradoxical, adjective paradoxically, adverb

Word Origin for paradox

C16: from Late Latin paradoxum, from Greek paradoxos opposed to existing notions, from para- 1 + doxa opinion

Medical definitions for paradoxal

paradox
[ păr′ə-dŏks′ ]

n.

That which is apparently, though not actually, inconsistent with or opposed to the known facts in any case.

Other words from paradox

par′a•dox′i•cal adj.

Cultural definitions for paradoxal

paradox

A statement that seems contradictory or absurd but is actually valid or true. According to one proverbial paradox, we must sometimes be cruel in order to be kind. Another form of paradox is a statement that truly is contradictory and yet follows logically from other statements that do not seem open to objection. If someone says, “I am lying,” for example, and we assume that his statement is true, it must be false. The paradox is that the statement “I am lying” is false if it is true.