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Ambiguous vs Paradoxical - What's the difference?

ambiguous | paradoxical | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between ambiguous and paradoxical

is that ambiguous is open to multiple interpretations while paradoxical is having self-contradictory properties.

ambiguous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Open to multiple interpretations.
  • The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision.
  • Vague and unclear.
  • He gave an ambiguous answer.
  • (obsolete, of persons) Hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.
  • * 1662 (Thomas Salusbury)
  • And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous , and Simplicius is resolute....

    Synonyms

    * equivocal

    Antonyms

    * unambiguous * precise

    See also

    * contradictory * mistakable * confusing

    References

    *

    paradoxical

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Having self-contradictory properties.
  • * 1776 , (Adam Smith), , book II, ch 2
  • It is the ambiguity of language only which can make this proposition appear either doubtful or paradoxical . When properly explained and understood, it is almost self-evident.
  • * 1898 , , , Book 2, ch 4
  • It sounds paradoxical , but I am inclined to think that the weakness and insanity of the curate warned me, braced me, and kept me a sane man.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
  • , chapter=4 citation , passage=By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.}}
  • * 1933 , & Hazel Heald,
  • It was tightly fitted with a cap of the same substance, and bore engraved figurings of an evidently decorative and possibly symbolic nature - conventional designs which seemed to follow a peculiarly alien, paradoxical , and doubtfully describable system of geometry.

    Synonyms

    * (having self-contradictory properties): oxymoronic, self-contradictory

    Antonyms

    * (having self-contradictory properties): self-consistent, self-evident