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.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Not possible; not able to be done or happen.

* 1865 , (Lewis Carroll), (w, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

Nothing is impossible , only impassible.

* 13 March 1962 ,

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)

, volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Our banks are out of control , passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […].  Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible , there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.}}

(colloquial, of a person) Very difficult to deal with.

(math, dated) imaginary

impossible quantities, or imaginary numbers