(logic) a statement that contradicts itself
"`I always lie' is a paradox because if it is true it must be false"
An apparently self-contradictory statement, which can only be true if it is false, and vice versa.
"The paradox of lying to someone so they will tell you the truth creates a situation where honesty depends on deception."
In plain English: A paradox is when two things seem to contradict each other but are actually both true at the same time.
"The paradox is that working harder sometimes makes you less productive because fatigue sets in faster."
Usage: Use this term to describe situations where two seemingly contradictory facts are both true, rather than simple logical inconsistencies or confusing statements. Avoid using "paradox" as a synonym for irony unless the contradiction itself creates a genuine logical puzzle.
The word entered English via the Old French paradoxe and ultimately derives from the Ancient Greek parádoxos, meaning "strange" or "unexpected." Originally used to describe statements that seemed absurd but were actually true, it retained this sense of surprising contradiction in modern usage.