Paradoxical vs Ironic - What's the difference?
paradoxical | ironic |
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,
Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.
* 2014 , Steven Pinker The Sense of Style
Given to the use of irony; sarcastic.
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
(-)- 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.
Synonyms
* (having self-contradictory properties): oxymoronic, self-contradictoryAntonyms
* (having self-contradictory properties): self-consistent, self-evidentironic
English
Alternative forms
* ironick (qualifier)Adjective
(en adjective)- It was ironic I forgot my textbook on human memory.