Which term describes a statement that appears self-contradictory yet expresses a possible truth?

• A. Oxymoron
• B. Metaphor
• C. Anaphora
• D. Paradox

Answer: (D)

Paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself on the surface but can reveal a truth if you examine it more closely. It challenges our usual way of thinking by pairing ideas that don’t easily go together, yet the clash invites a deeper or different understanding about a situation, concept, or language itself. That’s why a description like “appears self-contradictory yet expresses a possible truth” fits a paradox perfectly.

Think of it in action through examples like “less is more” or “this statement is false.” Each prompts you to question first impressions and look for a broader meaning or a nuance that isn’t obvious at first glance.

By comparison, an oxymoron puts two opposite words side by side to create a striking effect, but it’s about the clash of terms rather than making a claim that could be true in some sense. A metaphor, meanwhile, makes a direct comparison to illuminate a quality, not a self-contradiction. Anaphora is simply the repetition of a word or phrase at the start of successive clauses for emphasis.