paradoxically

American

[par-uh-dok-sik-lee] / ˌpær əˈdɒk sɪk li /

adverb

in a self-contradictory or seemingly self-contradictory way.

Paradoxically, the more we know, the more we identify an increasing number of questions to which we as yet have no answers.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of paradoxically

paradoxical ( def. ) + -ly

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.

Paradoxically, such an outcome wouldn’t necessarily be negative for Nike stock.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Paradoxically, without pretending to reality, it makes some things more real.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

Paradoxically, if it works, there is a risk that it could be repeated in other contexts.

From Slate • Jan. 6, 2026

“Is it good news? Paradoxically, not really—because it brings uncertainty, renewed volatility” and potentially billions in refunds that the U.S. could end up owing to countries, Ozkardeskaya said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

Paradoxically, it saved foragers a lot of anxieties.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023