French word

paradoxal

Pronunciation

IPA/paʁadɔksal/

Meaning

  • adjectiveparadoxical

Example

Sa réaction est paradoxale.

Her reaction is paradoxical.

Illustration for paradoxal (paradoxical)

More examples

Cette situation est paradoxale parce qu'elle produit l'effet inverse.

This situation is paradoxical because it produces the opposite effect.

Core concept

A result that seems to clash with logic or expectation yet still holds true.

Common phrases

  • situation paradoxale

    paradoxical situation

  • observation paradoxale

    paradoxical observation

Similar words

étrange: Unusually different in a way that feels odd or unsettling.
surprenant: Unexpected in a way that causes surprise.
contradictoire: Involving elements that conflict with or deny one another.
ironique: Involving an outcome or meaning opposite to what was expected.

Definition in French

Qui semble contredire la logique ou l'attente, mais qui demeure vrai ou possible.

Word origin

French paradoxal comes from French paradoxe, from Latin paradoxus, ultimately Greek παράδοξος, formed from para, 'contrary to', and doxa, 'opinion'.

Usage tips

  • The adjective agrees in gender and number, so feminine singular uses paradoxale and plural forms are paradoxaux or paradoxales.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word