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Definitions

paradoxical

[par-uh-dok-si-kuhl] / ˌpær əˈdɒk sɪ kəl /
ADJECTIVE
complex
Synonyms
STRONGEST
complicated convoluted disturbing intricate obscure perplexing sophisticated
STRONG
byzantine winding
WEAK
Daedalean Gordian abstruse bewildering circuitous confused crabbed cryptic discursive disordered enigmatic entangled excursive hidden impenetrable inscrutable interwoven involved jumbled knotted knotty labyrinthine mazy meandering mingled mixed muddled puzzling rambling recondite round-about sinuous snarled tangled tortuous undecipherable unfathomable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy simple
WEAK
apparent clear direct discernible evident homogeneous obvious plain uniform
ADJECTIVE
conflicting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adverse antagonistic clashing contrary incompatible inconsistent opposing
STRONG
opposed
WEAK
antipathetic at odds with contrariant disconsonant discordant discrepant dissonant incongruent incongruous inconsonant unfavorable unmixable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
consonant harmonious
WEAK
agreeable nonconflicting peaceful
ADJECTIVE
contradictory
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antithetical conflicting contrary incompatible inconsistent
STRONG
anti antipodal con converse counter opposite reverse
WEAK
adverse against agin antipodean antithetic counteractive diametric discrepant incongruous irreconcilable negating nullifying opposing ornery polar repugnant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
consonant harmonious
STRONG
equal same similar
WEAK
agreeing confirming consistent reconcilable reconciled vouching
ADJECTIVE
contrary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adverse antithetical conflicting contradictory discordant hostile inconsistent inimical negative opposed wrongheaded
STRONG
anti antipodal converse counter dissident nonconformist recusant refractory reverse
WEAK
antipathetic antipodean balky clashing contrariant contumacious diametric dissentient froward headstrong insubordinate intractable nonconforming obstinate ornery perverse rebellious recalcitrant restive stubborn unruly wayward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable agreeing consistent friendly harmonious kind
STRONG
conforming equal same similar
WEAK
accommodating alike concordant correspondent homogeneous like obliging
ADJECTIVE
difficult
Synonyms
STRONGEST
complex confusing delicate troublesome
WEAK
abstract abstruse baffling bewildering confounding dark deep enigmatic enigmatical entangled esoteric formidable hard to explain hard to solve hidden inexplicable intricate involved knotty labyrinthine loose meandering mysterious mystical mystifying nice obscure obstinate perplexing problematical profound puzzling rambling subtle tangled thorny ticklish unclear unfathomable unintelligible vexing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clear easy
WEAK
calm free friendly manageable plain simple sociable straightforward uncomplicated
ADJECTIVE
ironic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrogant caustic incongruous mocking ridiculous sardonic satiric satirical twisted unexpected wry
WEAK
acrid alert backbiting biting bitter burlesque chaffing clever contemptuous contradictory critical cutting cynical defiant derisive disparaging double-edged exaggerated implausible incisive ironical jibing keen mordant pungent quick-witted scathing scoffing sharp sneering spicy trenchant uncomplimentary witty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
straight
WEAK
sincere
ADJECTIVE
ironic/ironical
Synonyms
WEAK
acrid alert arrogant backbiting biting bitter burlesque caustic chaffing clever contemptuous contradictory critical cutting cynical defiant derisive disparaging double-edged exaggerated implausible incisive incongruous jibing keen mocking mordant pungent quick-witted ridiculous sardonic satiric satirical scathing scoffing sharp sneering spicy trenchant twisted uncomplimentary witty wry
Antonyms
WEAK
considerate deferential
ADJECTIVE
opposite
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adverse antagonistic antithetical contradictory differing reversed
STRONG
antipodal contrary counter facing hostile independent inverse obverse reverse separate
WEAK
antipodean contrapositive contrasted corresponding crosswise diametric diametrically opposed different dissimilar diverse flip-side fronting inconsistent inimical irreconcilable opposed ornery polar repugnant retrograde unalike unconnected unrelated unsimilar violative vis-à-vis
Antonyms
STRONG
agreeing similar
WEAK
compatible like
ADJECTIVE
perplexing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
baffling complicated confusing convoluted disconcerting knotty mysterious mystifying puzzling thorny worrying
STRONG
involved taxing
WEAK
beyond one impenetrable intricate mind-bending
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clear easy simple straightforward untroublesome
ADJECTIVE
questionable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguous arguable controversial debatable dubious problematic suspicious unproven vague
WEAK
apocryphal contingent controvertible cryptic disputable dubitable enigmatic equivocal fishy hard to believe hypothetical iffy indecisive indefinite indeterminate moot mysterious obscure occult open to doubt open to question oracular problematical provisional shady suspect unconfirmed undefined under advisement under examination unreliable unsettled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain clear definite incontrovertible indubious sure trustworthy trusty undoubted unquestionable
WEAK
indisputable proven
ADJECTIVE
satirical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
biting caustic incisive mordant sarcastic sardonic satiric
WEAK
abusive bantering bitter burlesque censorious chaffing cutting cynical farcical ironical lampooning parodying pungent ridiculing spoofing taunting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm kind mild nice
ADJECTIVE
satirical/satiric
Synonyms
WEAK
abusive bantering biting bitter burlesque caustic censorious chaffing cutting cynical farcical incisive ironical lampooning mordant parodying pungent ridiculing sarcastic sardonic spoofing taunting

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Former U.K. and Canada central banker White frets about the paradoxical relationship in the U.S. between the administration of Donald Trump and the dollar.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

"These results also provide a potential explanation for how stimulants treat hyperactivity, which previously seemed paradoxical," Dosenbach added.

From Science Daily • Dec. 29, 2025

In a paradoxical way, Mr. Khamenei’s displacement stems from his success.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

In the end, the paradoxical title "I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki" may, in fact, be another way of saying, "I want to live."

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

It’s paradoxical that an ordinary man like Nemur presumes to devote himself to making other people geniuses.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Vocabulary lists containing paradoxical

"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)

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Opposites Attract

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"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe

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