What Is an Oxymoron? An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. Generally, the ideas will come as two separate words placed side by side.

What does it mean when something is an oxymoron?

Full Definition of oxymoron

: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (such as cruel kindness) broadly : something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements.

What is oxymoron and give example?

Oxymorons are oppositional words joined to create a unique word or phrase. ... For example, the phrase “virtual reality” is formed from contrasting words. The word “oxymoron” is an oxymoron itself, derived from the Greek words “oxys” (meaning “sharp”) and “moros” (meaning “dull”).

What is oxymoron give 5 examples?

Suddenly the room filled with a deafening silence. The comedian was seriously funny. You are clearly confused by the situation you have found yourself in. Her singing was enough to raise the living dead.

What's the difference between oxymoron and paradox?

An oxymoron is the conjunction of two words with meanings that contradict each other. While a paradox is the opposition of ideas or themes, an oxymoron is a contradiction merely between words. An example of oxymoron in literature can be found in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

What is an oxymoron? Definition and 20 funny examples!

Is Cruel to Be Kind an oxymoron?

An oxymoron is also a noun that's defined as “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 an oxymoron.

Is never say never an oxymoron?

Never say never. Press enter to exit. Do these sayings not contradict themselves? ... They are oxymorons, expressions that combine contradictory or incongruous ideas.

What is the example of Litotes?

Litotes is a figure of speech and a form of understatement in which a sentiment is expressed ironically by negating its contrary. For example, saying "It's not the best weather today" during a hurricane would be an example of litotes, implying through ironic understatement that the weather is, in fact, horrible.

How do you use oxymoron in a sentence?

Oxymoron sentence example

A pregnant man seems to be an oxymoron , doesn't it? They were labeled ' emotionally disturbed adolescents ' which is perhaps an oxymoron , they seemed normal to me. Bankruptcy marketing may sounds like an oxymoron . The term "fuel efficient SUV" sounds like an oxymoron .

What is oxymoron give two examples?

The word is derived from two Greek words, namely “oxus” (sharp) and “moros” (dull). Some common oxymoron examples include “pretty ugly,” “only choice,” and “same difference.”

What are 5 examples of personification?

• Lightning danced across the sky.
• The wind howled in the night.
• The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.
• Rita heard the last piece of pie calling her name.
• My alarm clock yells at me to get out of bed every morning.

Who is a paradox person?

1 : a statement that seems to say opposite things and yet is perhaps true. 2 : a person or thing having qualities that seem to be opposite. paradox. noun. par·​a·​dox | \ ˈpar-ə-ˌdäks \

Is an oxymoron a contradiction?

The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms.

What is a phrase that contradicts itself?

Use oxymoron to refer to a word or phrase that contradicts itself, usually to create some rhetorical effect.

Why is Litotes important?

Litotes is a common device used in rhetoric. This is primarily because it prompts a listener or reader to carefully consider what is being said. Litotes also allows the speaker or writer to effectively communicate in an atypical way.

Why is Zeugma used?

Zeugma can be used to create drama, add emotion or produce a level of shock value. While there can still be an underlying sense of confusion, generally, a zeugma is used purposely. All over Ireland, the farmers grew potatoes, barley and bored. He fished for trout and compliments.

What is an example of a malapropism?

Here are some examples of malapropisms: Mrs. Malaprop said, "Illiterate him quite from your memory" (obliterate) and "She's as headstrong as an allegory" (alligator) Officer Dogberry said, "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons" (apprehended two suspicious persons)

What is answer Never Say Never?

Nothing is impossible, anything can happen, as in Mary said Tom would never call her again, but I told her, “Never say never.” This expression was first recorded in Charles Dickens's Pickwick Papers (1837).

What does it mean when a girl says never say never?

Nothing is impossible, anything can happen, as in Mary said Tom would never call her again, but I told her, "Never say never." This expression was first recorded in Charles Dickens's Pickwick Papers (1837). See also: never heard of such a thing!

Why should we never say never?

According to dictionary.com, never say never is an idiom used to explain that 'nothing is impossible [and] anything can happen. ' For example, if someone is saying they would 'never' do something, then a response of 'never say never!

What is irony paradox and oxymoron?

The irony is when an action or speech is the complete opposite of what it is expected to do or mean. The job of irony is to give an emphatic or humorous effect. A paradox is a statement that contradicts its actual meaning and contains a little bit of truth. ... A paradox is closely related to the oxymoron.

Does an oxymoron have to be two words?

The most common form of oxymoron involves an adjective–noun combination of two words, but they can also be devised in the meaning of sentences or phrases.

What's the opposite of an oxymoron?

Notes: A tautology is the opposite of an oxymoron, two words that contradict each other, such as the living dead. The words of a tautology mean the same thing: a dead corpse is a tautology because corpse itself means "dead".

What are contradictions?

A contradiction is a situation or ideas in opposition to one another. Declaring publicly that you are an environmentalist but never remembering to take out the recycling is an example of a contradiction. A "contradiction in terms" is a common phrase used to describe a statement that contains opposing ideas.