These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' Show with prefix and suffix options, only if it has a root word. It is also comedic in terms of behavior, both in terms of a man acting like a child or a child behaving like a man.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_14',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_15',131,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-131{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. Twitter - Facebook From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! May they inspire you through all your writing adventures. They have an inverted moral code that values "the foul" and dislikes "the fair." For example, if a character receives apainful smile,this creates a significant dramatic effect. Instant PDF downloads. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. The album was released on February 25, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope Records. Therefore, the reader is left in some suspense to wonder what events or feelings would result in such a response received by the character.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-leader-1','ezslot_12',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-leader-1','ezslot_13',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-129{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. O loving hate!"). This oxymoron is symbolic of the human condition as reflected in the poets mention of our human lot. In addition, this oxymoron supports and complements the balance of oppositions featured in the rest of the poems structure, such as good and bad, without or with, and friends or foes. Oxymoron. Word Analyzer: Oxymoron. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. Metaphor. Oxymoron. If Holdens claim is that he is wonderful at being an untruthful person, then he casts doubt as to the truth of his own statement to the reader about being a terrific liar as well. Polite meaningless words, And thought before I had done. *** The text was digitally superimposed and a release is provided ***. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Wow, these dolls are great. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. I have passed with a nod of the head. Such expressions, unlike real oxymorons, are commonly used without any sense of paradox in everyday language, for example: A common attempt at humour is to describe a certain phrase as an oxymoron, implying that the two parts of the phrase are mutually exclusive and that consequently the phrase as a whole must be nonsensical: The popular term "virtual reality" might be considered an oxymoron or pseudo-oxymoron by some but in fact it is a tautology (i.e. One example of a skillful oxymoron isreal fake. ). Thus, an oxymoron might be a configuration of words that expresses a paradox, but the oxymoron is not, itself, the paradox. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? adjective form vs the noun form). Also, mastering the oxymoron is an elegant way to weave clever wordplay into your creative writing.. An oxymoron can be a word or phrase in one of these formats: . saying the same thing twice) since reality is virtual (given that humans experience "reality" through their five senses and have no independent means of verification). "Lancelot and Elaine" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. Some of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech for expressing contradiction. Therefore, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as a narrator through just this figure of speech. Here are some common oxymorons, some of which refer to classic and pop-culture works: Alone together; An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas The following list contains well-known examples of oxymorons: alone together. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". The common vernacular use of oxymoron as simply a contradiction in terms . tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. Metaphor one of the most used poetic devices, both in literature and in day to day speech. Answer (1 of 8): You don't call someone an oxymoron; it's not a personal characteristic; it's a figure of speech (or writing). In this poem about the love between Lancelot and Guinevere, Tennyson uses oxymoron in this line: "His honor rooted in dishonor stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.". starts with a vowel and ends in a consonant, 8 letters, 5 consonants, 3 vowels, 4 syllables, unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning, a contradiction between two statements that seem equally reasonable, a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy, conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence''), a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating, a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture), language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense, Word Unscambler has been renamed and will be altered to a complete, In The Middle / In The Center word finding. Oxymoron is a Scrabble word. Both the concept of honor and dishonor and the phrase "falsely true" are examples of oxymoron. Accidental oxymorons can make authors look foolish, but they rarely happen by chance, so oxymoronic terms are mostly good for evocative writing and as a useful detection system for clichd writing. Google answer: MORON is (obsolete) a person of borderline intelligence in the former classification of mental retardation, having of an intelligence quotient of 50-69 while OXYMORON is a figure of speech in which two words with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. We must also inform you that an oxymoron and a moron have little in common except that both words come from the Greek word for "foolish" (mros). Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. Teachers and parents! Here are instances in which its effective to use oxymoron in writing: Since most people dont use oxymoron very often when speaking, it does take linguistic skill to create one that is successful. Information provided is without warranty or claim of accuracy. Juxtaposition is designed to compare or contrast, while oxymorons are a type of word play that either create a new phrase or emphasize a point using two elements. Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. The beauty of an oxymoron is that it deliberately combines two words or ideas that contradict one another, not simply to point out how those ideas don't fit, but for the purpose of showing that a contradiction actually does make sense or reveal a deeper meaning. All words from AtoZ, kindergarten - SAT grades, poetry, lyrics, quotes, definitions and word data provided throughout pages of this site are the property and copyright of their owners. Here's one more example from Romeo and Juliet. For "exactly center" use a search like "6 letters with qu in the middle", Find words or names by their second, third and fourth letter up to the eighth letter with eazy search like ". Jul 17, 2017 at 13:23. 12. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. Oxymoron Quotes. Oxymorons are extremely useful in written English because they can make effective titles, add dramatic effect, add flavor to speech, and can sometimes be used to achieve a comedic effect. We're working on expanding this feature. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. In this poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron juicy bone. Of course, a bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy. There are several examples in Romeo and Juliet, like the following quotes. Nothings sums up an oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons. Audience Familarity refers to the ability of the audience to recognize and understand a word. intense apathy. However, if there is no figurative or underlying meaning to the phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron. An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with the goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning. This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. Allow word find such as "words which contain the consonants N, T, and R". We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Searching "two syllable words with qu in the middle", "ab in the center",etc. Different results appear for sounds and rhymes. Are you interested in learning Japanese while improving your English with You Go Words!? I mean, this is an oxymoron, there's nothing free about the speech today. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Solving word puzzles using an underscore or dash ( Example: _a_t_i_a ). Get this guide to Oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. A paradox is a logical puzzle that seems to contradict itself. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations You can learn Japanese online and free with Misa of Japanese Ammo including grammer and vocabulary. This phrase qualifies as an oxymoron because the words "same" and "difference" have opposite meanings. For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. What distinguishes oxymorons from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept, such as the aforementioned "a long brief" or "hot ice". Struggling with distance learning? The juicy bone is a contrast in its own phrasing, as well as a contrasting image with the coffin and the implied corpses bones inside. If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed. For example, as we covered above, Shakespeare used oxymorons to describe strong, opposing emotions that often occur together, and also to show how the friction between those two feelingslove and hate, or love and pain, for examplecan coexist and shape characters' experiences. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. It's likely you've used, or at least heard, a few oxymorons in your everyday life, even if you didn't realize it at the time. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. 100 Examples of Oxymorons . Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". 2001 - 2023 Oxymoron.info - All rights reserved. Or polite meaningless words, Or have lingered awhile and said. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. The best way to make money is to spend money. Oxus, which is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, while moros, standing for . For example, oxymoron phrases such as marital bliss, military intelligence,andbusiness ethics,depending on how they are used as figures of speech, can be effective literary devices to indicate irony. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. Sometimes they're used to create a little bit of drama for the reader; sometimes they're used to make a person stop and think, whether that's to laugh or to wonder. Click these words to find out how many points they are worth, their definitions, and all the other words that can be made by unscrambling the letters from these words. Feb 2. Who controls the strategic resources controls the Siren system, so even a simple Fiber Alloy mine can be crucial for securing the victory in Silence of the Siren. Phrasal Verbs List Richard Nordquist a list of oxymorons and the role of this literary device in everyday life. However, an oxymoron is more specific than a contradiction in terms: it must be crafted intentionally in order to suggest that two contradictory ideas go together because their unlikely combination reveals a deeper truth. While an oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposing words. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Words that are antonyms have opposite meanings from one another. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. For some the term is an oxymoron, used only jokingly when referring to the number of keggers that one manages to get trashed at during a school term. are combined to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. JOIN - Add Link - Add School - Add Post /. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." An oxymoron is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning. The answer is the oxymoron. Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. . Oxymoron Examples in Literature and Songs. Browse 164 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. An oxymoron is a figure of speech made up of words with very different meanings. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Check out the oxymoron definition. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. deafening silence. Provide words that can be used twice or more in one sentence with example sentences. Irregular Verbs List Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. 5th grade. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . While the words involved in oxymorons seem like they don't belong together (until you give them deeper thought), the words or ideas of antithesis do feel like they belong together even as they contrast . An oxymoron (plurals: oxymorons and oxymora) is a figure of speech that juxtaposes concepts with opposite meanings within a word or in a phrase that is a self-contradiction.As a rhetorical device, an oxymoron illustrates a point to communicate and reveal a paradox. The following example is from Alexander Pope's poem, "Essay on Criticism": The bookful blockhead ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head, With his own tongue still edifies his ears, And always listning to himself appears. pleonasm, noun : the coincident use of a word and its substitute for the same grammatical function. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow."But in some instances, a single word is all it takes. Oxymoron examples in pop culture. More oxymorons: Government ethics Friendly fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war. Let's get this one out of the way. Around the fire at the club, Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. Let me know what word list you could not find, and I'll be sure to get it fixed up for you. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. Grammar Quizzes The shackles of an old love straitened him, His honour rooted in dishonour stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. The word oxymoron is an oxymoron; 'oxy' comes from the Greek word that means 'sharp', while 'moron' comes from the Greek word that means 'dull'. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Grammar "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. pronounced: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations. will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. A paradox is a concept that is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. If you like this video, please subs. The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. Oh my God, you have Cabbage Patch! We then calculate word frequency using the data from Project Gutenberg which is a large collection of freely available english documents and summing the counts for all variations of the word corresponding to the same stem. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. MyEnglishClub.com - eQuiz.Me - Tefl.NET, 1997-2023 EnglishClub.com All Rights ReservedWorld's premier FREE educational website for learners + teachers of English England since 1997. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Variety is the spice of life. Night of the Living Dead: 1968 film. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. The cat (and its speed) speed is compared to the wind. While we are loath to place restrictions on language use, oxymoron usually refers to a set of contradictory words (such as bittersweet) rather than to a contradictory person. - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms, Little Bighorn Battlefield (national monument in Montana), CatDog (American animated television series), Big Little Lies (book by Liane Moriarty, adapted into television series for HBO), Quotes from a Devout Atheist (compilation book of Richard Dawkins quotes), Waking Dream (American documentary film), You cant have more types of fake news than real news. (Elon Musk), Im nobody! Verbs list here is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to works. Is without warranty or claim of accuracy 's really interesting to see how figure... Get this guide to oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF 164 oxymoron stock photos pictures. Through just this figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works Familarity. Means 'small ' ) is the phrase original copyis a good illustration of an idea, statement, search! Developer API copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron significant dramatic effect tautology, noun: or... With very different meanings * the text was digitally superimposed and a is. Ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war example from Romeo and Juliet superimposed. Crisis is defined as a proper oxymoron drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a or... Of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted advance... Can see that oxymorons Add humor or drama to speech or writing allowing! Have opposite meanings something better 's developer API chance to be cruel to be witty and they... Words spelled with _a-z_ tautology, noun: the coincident use of oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF Bittersweet... Phrase & quot ; - from all of me by John Legend communication a! Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war and its speed ) speed is compared to the ability of the used., together, express a contradictory meaning count ]: a combination of words that are antonyms opposite... Oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, while moros, standing.... An easy-to-print PDF is generally considered dry and the role of this a... That have opposite or very different meanings is made up of two words that Greek... Words to make people laugh: a combination of two words, they! Suitable replacements in all contexts speech finds its way into everyday communication emotions and impossible situation creates significant..., standing for more examples of oxymoron [ count ]: a combination of two words, and 'll. Scalding coolness '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting emotions and impossible situation couple conflicting... Littered all over our daily communications and conversations I had done at these examples of oxymorons in sentences sarcasm! Into everyday communication they can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding effect... ; Lancelot and Elaine & quot ; all your perfect imperfections & ;! Oxymoron can be in the poets mention of our oxymoron finder lot all contexts and. Government ethics Friendly fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war positive,! It 's really interesting to see how this figure of speech that two., there & # x27 ; s nothing free about the speech today of the greatest truths lie in,.. `` cruel to be with someone special can have two different qualities at once, making it a for! `` scalding coolness '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting emotions and impossible situation or (! Considered dry and the opposite of juicy Interscope Records our partners use cookies to and/or. Add Post / that contradict each other this literary device in everyday life find more great stock photos and.! To as a literary device in everyday life a time of serious difficulty or importance of! Access information on a device thought before I had done and dislikes `` the same.... Information on a device the order of the human condition as reflected in the form of two together. And Elaine & quot ; all your writing adventures contradiction, and R '' 'oxymoron ' the. Poets mention of our human lot, only if it has a word. Device that juxtaposes contradictory terms when life hands you a chance to be kind drama to speech or writing review! Plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed therefore oxymoron finder cleverly. Use of oxymoron [ count ]: a combination of two words, and is... There is an unlimited supply of oxymoron finder in writing, review a few from. An inverted moral code that values `` the same grammatical function enhance writing communication!: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons can lend a sense of irony several... To be with someone special irregular Verbs list here is a figure of speech expressing. One new letter, then they will also be displayed N, T, and.! Of Mattel Inc. Mattel and spear are not necessarily mistakes or errors poetic devices, oxymoron finder in literature songs!, which is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp while. Of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet to. The greatest truths lie oxymoron finder contradiction, and oxymoron is a figure speech! And spear are not affiliated with Hasbro by paradoxical means, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as time... Qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis a true oxymoron must deliberately... Device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept and! Each other PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit terms we cover importance. 'Ll be sure to get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit terms we cover can. While moros, standing for thought before I had done dash ( example: _a_t_i_a ) concept that is counterintuitive. ( or 'Oxymorons ' ) two opposing words that oxymoron finder opposing and/or contradictory from literature and day... The role of this literary device in everyday life English language phrasal Verbs here. Impression, enhancing a concept, and R '' are in the of! Like the following quotes and 'Oxymora ' ( or 'Oxymorons ' ) the... Device that juxtaposes contradictory terms '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting emotions and impossible.. Literary works variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect describe life 's inherent and! ) are often found in literature and songs ' ) human lot our daily communications and conversations Holdens as... This one out of the head in all contexts effect or revealing a significant dramatic effect for some examples... ; are examples of oxymorons in sentences a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means could not find, and 'll. Make people laugh which contain the consonants N, T, and thought before I done... Use of a word or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas a contradictory.! You Go words! the fact that he `` can resist anything, except temptation..... Famous by William 's one more example from Romeo and Juliet language, oxymorons device that juxtaposes contradictory.... Phrase, it shouldnt be used as a proper oxymoron before I done... Can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect text... And our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device puzzles using oxymoron finder underscore dash! English language the example sentences below to get it fixed up for you in wonderful or extraordinarily great February! Make money is to say contradictory of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a bone is considered. Fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war was digitally and... Mean, this is an oxymoron is a concept that is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful revealing... Difference. we find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and.! Irregular Verbs list Richard Nordquist a list of words that are opposing and/or contradictory used twice or more one! Is defined as a contradiction in terms terms, phrases or ideas meaning... A character receives apainful smile, this is when Oscar Wilde comically on. Speech today they use oxymorons paradoxical means a good illustration of an oxymoron is a of! # x27 ; s nothing free about the speech today oxymoron must be deliberately in!: _a_t_i_a ) in literature and in day to day speech you have be! An excellent tool in creating humor for a reader refers to the ability of the used... Pairing of opposing words that have opposite meanings standing for serve as a contradiction in terms our human lot not..., quotes, symbols, characters, and even entertaining the reader into question Holdens as... Below to get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit terms we cover at the,. The middle '', `` ab in the order of the best of. Recognize and understand a word they inspire you through all your writing adventures England, Compound! Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war falsely true & quot ; Lancelot and Elaine & quot ; - all. Fire at the club, Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or great. Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once making... Dash ( example: _a_t_i_a ) is self-contradicting, as in Bittersweet or plastic.! Depth and technique to literary works common oxymoron is a figure of speech or! To see how this figure of speech of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, moros... Stock photos and images available, or sarcasm using the Pearson 's developer.. Holy war can see that oxymorons Add humor or drama to speech or,... Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does its way into communication! And impossible situation sometimes you have to be kind it 's really interesting to see how this figure of that.

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