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Paradoxical vs Ironic - What's the difference?

paradoxical | ironic |

As adjectives the difference between paradoxical and ironic

is that paradoxical is having self-contradictory properties while ironic is characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.

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

    ironic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * ironick (qualifier)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.
  • * 2014 , Steven Pinker The Sense of Style
  • It was ironic I forgot my textbook on human memory.
  • Given to the use of irony; sarcastic.
  • Synonyms

    * ironical

    Usage notes

    Some writers complain about an overuse of the word ironic to extend to situations which are remarkable for reasons other than irony - perhaps just coincidental or merely odd.

    Derived terms

    * ironically * dramatic irony * postironic * Socratic irony

    See also

    * (projectlink) ----