paradoxical
/ˌpæɹəˈdɒksɪkəl/
Group 21Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Seemingly absurd or self-contradictory GRE
Example in Context
The paradoxical result—that increasing the price actually boosted sales—challenged fundamental assumptions about consumer behavior.
Synonyms
contradictorypuzzlingironic
Etymology
Something that goes beyond normal opinions, often contradictory.
- para- (Greek) — beyond
- dox- (Greek) — opinion
Memory Aid
🐂🐂Sounds like “pair of oxen”
Imagine a PAIR OF OXEN that are both pulling in opposite directions — how PARADOXICAL!
Visual Association
🤔A confused philosopher scratching their head as they try to solve a riddle that contradicts itself.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “paradoxical” mean on the GRE?
paradoxical (adjective) means “Seemingly absurd or self-contradictory”. The paradoxical result—that increasing the price actually boosted sales—challenged fundamental assumptions about consumer behavior.
How to remember “paradoxical” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “paradoxical” sounds like “pair of oxen”. Imagine a PAIR OF OXEN that are both pulling in opposite directions — how PARADOXICAL!
What are synonyms for “paradoxical”?
Common synonyms: contradictory, puzzling, ironic.