cross-purpose vs paradox

cross-purpose

noun
  • A contrary or conflicting purpose or understanding, especially an unintentional or misconceived one. 

paradox

noun
  • A state in which one is logically compelled to contradict oneself. 

  • A claim that two apparently contradictory ideas are true. 

  • An unanswerable question or difficult puzzle, particularly one which leads to a deeper truth. 

  • The use of counterintuitive or contradictory statements (paradoxes) in speech or writing. 

  • An apparently self-contradictory statement, which can only be true if it is false, and vice versa. 

  • A person or thing having contradictory properties. 

  • A counterintuitive conclusion or outcome. 

  • A thing involving contradictory yet interrelated elements that exist simultaneously and persist over time. 

  • The practice of giving instructions that are opposed to the therapist's actual intent, with the intention that the client will disobey or be unable to obey. 

How often have the words cross-purpose and paradox occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )