paradox.

1. A statement or situation that seems contradictory but may nevertheless make sense or reveal a truth.

2. A problem in which apparently acceptable assumptions or reasoning lead to a contradiction or an impossible result.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• an apparent paradox
• a striking paradox

On the page

The archive embodied a paradox: preserving the past required constant replacement of its materials.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: Singular paradox; plural paradoxes. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: contrast, analysis. Commonness: moderately common.