Ambiguous vs Paradoxical - What's the difference?
ambiguous | paradoxical | Related terms |
Open to multiple interpretations.
Vague and unclear.
(obsolete, of persons) Hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.
* 1662 (Thomas Salusbury)
Having self-contradictory properties.
* 1776 , (Adam Smith), , book II, ch 2
* 1898 , , , Book 2, ch 4
*{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
, chapter=4 * 1933 , & Hazel Heald,
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)- The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision.
- He gave an ambiguous answer.
- And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous , and Simplicius is resolute....
Synonyms
* equivocalAntonyms
* unambiguous * preciseSee also
* contradictory * mistakable * confusingExternal links
* *References
*paradoxical
English
Adjective
(-)- 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.
- 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.
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.}}
- 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.