paradoxical
Logically self-defeating
Paradoxical describes something that seems to contradict itself or defy logic, yet may still be true.
A paradoxical situation contains elements that appear incompatible: It's paradoxical that the busiest people often find time to help others.
The word suggests the contradiction is more apparent than real—that deeper understanding might resolve it.
Self-contradicting phrase device
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- self-contradictoryContaining mutual negation
- counterintuitiveContrary to expectations
- incongruousNot fitting together harmoniously
antithetical · conflicting · inconsistent · illogical · dichotomy · juxtaposition · irreconcilable · mutually exclusive
Beyond easy comprehension
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
confounding · bewildering · inexplicable · inscrutable · cryptic · unfathomable · sphinx-like · conundrum
Meaning opposite to words
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- contraryOpposed in nature
- surprisingCausing mild shock
unintended consequence · backfire · boomerang · reversal · self-fulfilling prophecy · ironic twist · poetic justice · situational irony
oxymoron
Self-contradicting phrase device
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- self-contradictoryContaining mutual negation
- counterintuitiveContrary to expectations
incongruous · antithetical · conflicting · inconsistent · illogical · dichotomy · juxtaposition · irreconcilable · mutually exclusive · dissonance
mysterious
Beyond easy comprehension
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- bafflingImpossible to understand
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
mystifying · confounding · bewildering · inexplicable · inscrutable · cryptic · unfathomable · sphinx-like · conundrum · riddle
irony
Meaning opposite to words
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- contraryOpposed in nature
surprising · unintended consequence · backfire · boomerang · reversal · self-fulfilling prophecy · ironic twist · poetic justice · situational irony · dramatic irony
- mysteriousmysterious, cryptic, enigmatic, arcane, obscure
- Sci-Fi Termsfuturistic, alien, robotic, cybernetic, galactic
- validityvalid, invalid, true, false, correct
paradoxicallogical
Based on valid reasoning
consistent · coherent · noncontradictory · self-consistent · harmonious
paradoxicalself-evident
Requiring no demonstration
straightforward · explicable · self-explanatory · obvious · clear
paradoxicalpredictable
Able to be foreseen
expected · unsurprising · natural · ordinary · normal