Which term describes something that seems to contradict itself?

The term that describes something that seems to contradict itself is "paradox." A paradox is a statement or situation that appears to be self-contradictory or logically unacceptable but may nonetheless reveal an underlying truth. For example, the phrase "less is more" suggests that simplicity can lead to greater impact, highlighting how conflicting ideas can coexist and even reinforce deeper meanings.

Other terms, while related to concepts of contradiction or innovation, do not accurately capture the essence of self-contradiction. "Novel" typically refers to something new or original; "negate" means to nullify or make ineffective; and "pioneer" describes someone who is among the first to develop or explore a particular area or field. Thus, none of these options convey the specific idea of a self-contradictory situation as effectively as "paradox" does.