Summary2 min read

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: “Paradox” (January 11, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of the Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day podcast explores the word “paradox”—its meaning, origins, and usage. Host Peter Sokolowski breaks down how a paradox is more than simply a contradiction; it’s a concept that stretches our understanding and challenges assumptions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Definition of “Paradox”

Paradox is a noun:
- Something made up of two opposite things that seems impossible but is actually true or possible
- Someone who does seemingly opposite things or has qualities that are opposites
- A statement that appears to contradict itself, yet may be true
- The use of such statements in writing or speech
- (00:11)

2. Example in Literature

Quote from Jane Bowles’ “Two Serious Ladies” (as paraphrased in Sheila Hetty’s introduction):
- “In some ways, I think the idea of a serious lady might even be a paradox. If to be serious means to understand the world according to one's own precepts, experiences, and observations, and to behave in a way that reflects this.
  A lady, on the other hand, follows rules that others have devised. How then, can a serious lady be anything other than a very peculiar and odd creature, which the women in this book certainly are?”
- (00:26)

3. Historical Perspective

Ancient Greeks recognized the value of paradoxes for moving thought “beyond our usual way.”
Example: The phrase “less is more” as a classic paradox.
Greek roots:
- Para (beyond/outside of) + dokaein (to think) → paradoxos (contrary to expectation)
- (01:09)

4. Etymological Journey

Latin carried the word as “paradox” before adoption into English in the 1500s.
Paradox became a way to describe situations, statements, or people that challenge expectations.
(01:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the apparent contradiction at the heart of paradox:
- “Something, such as a situation, that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible.” (00:12)
Connecting paradox to literature and the real world:
- “How then, can a serious lady be anything other than a very peculiar and odd creature, which the women in this book certainly are?” (00:43)
On the utility of paradoxes in thinking:
- “The ancient Greeks were well aware that a paradox—the saying less is more, for example—can take us outside our usual way of thinking.” (01:09)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:00 — Introduction of the Word of the Day
00:11 — Definition of “paradox”
00:26 — Example from Jane Bowles’ “Two Serious Ladies”
01:09 — Historical and philosophical perspective, Greek roots
01:26 — The word’s journey into English

Overall Tone & Engagement

The episode maintains Merriam-Webster’s characteristic blend of scholarly insight and accessible language. Sokolowski’s tone is clear, informative, and balanced, making etymology and abstract concepts inviting even for casual listeners.

Listen for:

A concise definition of “paradox” with real-world and literary context
How paradoxes help expand our thinking
The fascinating word journey from Ancient Greek to modern English

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Transcript1 lines

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Foreign. It's the Word of the Day podcast for January 11th. Today's Word is Paradox, spelled P A R A D O X. Paradox is a noun. It refers to something, such as a situation that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible. It can also refer to someone who does two seemingly opposite things, or who has qualities that are opposite to a statement that seems to say two opposite things but that nevertheless may be true, or to the use of such statements in writing or speech. Here's the word used in a sentence from the introduction to Two Serious Ladies, a novel by Jane Bowles by Sheila Hetty in some ways, I think the idea of a serious lady might even be a paradox. If to be serious means to understand the world according to one's own precepts, experiences, and observations, and to behave in a way that reflects this. A lady, on the other hand, follows rules that others have devised. How then, can a serious lady be anything other than a very peculiar and odd creature, which the women in this book certainly are? The ancient Greeks were well aware that a paradox the saying less is more, for example, can take us outside our usual way of thinking. They combined the prefix para, meaning beyond or outside of, with the verb dokaein, meaning to think, forming paradoxos, an adjective meaning contrary to expectation. Latin speakers used that word as the basis for a noun paradox, which English speakers borrowed during the 1500s as paradox. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski. Visit marianwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay, and trending. Word lookups.