An oxymoron is a figure of speech that places two contradictory, incongruous, or conflicting words next to each other in a sentence to create a nuanced concept (e.g., civil war, detailed summary). The two examples above are oxymorons because, at their very core, the words contradict themse...
FAQs on Oxymoron Definition and Examples: Understanding Contradictory Terms 1. What is oxymoron poetic device? An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two opposing words or ideas are combined to create a paradoxical effect, such as "deafening silence." 2. Why are oxymorons used in writing? Ox...
Often, at least one of the words in an oxymoron is not used literally or has multiple meanings, or there’s some shorthand being used, and the apparent self-contradiction arises from this. To understand more about what an oxymoron is, let’s look at some examples. Figurative meaning ...
The word oxymoron (plural: oxymora or oxymorons) is derived from the Greek for pointedly foolish (oxys = SHARP, KEEN + moros = FOOLISH). For more examples of oxymorons, particularly of the more amusing variety, take a look at our Funny Oxymorons page. You will also enjoy Oxymoronology ...
“a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in ‘cruel kindness’ or ‘to make haste slowly.'” So when contradictory or opposing words are combined, that expression is anoxymoron. Additional examples of this rhetorical device include...
Oxymoron: Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which words with opposite meanings are used in the same phrase for an intentional effect. Examples of oxymoron are bittersweet, deafening silence, and random order. Answer and Explanation: An oxymoron poem is a poem or verse that uses one or more...
What are examples of events that defy logic in the Fall of the House of Usher? What is an example of an oxymoron used in Call of the Wild? What are the ironies in the title of the short story Good Advice Is Rarer than Rubies?
Wondering how a paradox is similar to or different from other writing techniques like oxymoron? Let’s explore. What Is the Difference Between anOxymoron and a Paradox? A literary paradox is the juxtaposition of ideas. It can be made up of whole phrases and sentences, or even larger elements...
An oxymoron is an example of figurative language that contains two seemingly contradictory elements, such as "wise fool," "jumbo shrimp" or "icy hot." Metonymy Using a physical object to indicate a larger idea is named metonymy. For instance, the word "crown" can refer to a king or a ...
What is a synonym for conception? What is a synonym for finish? What is the opposite of an oxymoron? What are synonyms for outgoing? What is a synonym for discern? What is a synonym for posture? What is a synonym for yielding? What is a homophone? What is a synonym for whole? What...