self-contradictory

adjective

self-con·​tra·​dic·​to·​ry ˌself-ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce self-contradictory (audio)
: consisting of two contradictory members or parts

Examples of self-contradictory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some of Meta’s response to the book seems self-contradictory or misleading. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 Oracular revelations are expected to be ambiguous but this one appeared to be self-contradictory. — Charles Portis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025 In fact, whiny, self-contradictory, and sanctimonious art has achieved a great deal of cultural-political, though not necessarily artistic, success. — Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025 Think grindhouse listed on Zillow — a self-contradictory trend that sees disturbing and even outright objectionable material presented with a faux polish that can feel like biting into plastic fruit. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 Dec. 2024 But over the past century, many quantum physicists have grown increasingly dissatisfied with the agnostic, vague and sometimes self-contradictory pronouncements of the Copenhagenists. — Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025 Silicon Valley is dizzyingly self-contradictory. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026 As written, the builder’s remedy includes seemingly self-contradictory provisions that seem to simultaneously allow developers an unlimited amount of density while also empowering local governments to apply their own standards. — Calmatters, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-contradictory was in 1654

Rhymes for self-contradictory

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Browse Nearby Words

self-contradiction
self-contradictory
self-control
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Cite this Entry

“Self-contradictory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-contradictory. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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