Search results
People also ask
What is an oxymoron in literature?
What is the difference between an oxymoron and a paradox?
What is an example of an oxymoron?
Why are oxymorons important in writing?
Jun 27, 2012 · Learn what oxymorons are and how to use them in written English with 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. Oxymorons are figures of speech that combine contradictory terms to create a rhetorical effect by paradoxical means. See examples of funny, sarcastic, and cynical oxymorons, as well as some related terms.
- What Is An Oxymoron?
- What Is The Purpose of Oxymorons?
- Oxymoron Examples from Literature
- What Is The Difference Between Oxymoronand Paradox?
- Oxymoron FAQs
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
An oxymoron is aliterary devicethat juxtaposes contradictory terms. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is what’s known as a “contradiction in terms,” although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. The word oxymoronis an ancient...
As with other literary devices likemetaphor,onomatopoeia, andhyperbole, oxymorons have a few different purposes in writing, all of which are quite useful in the right situation:
As rhetorical devices, oxymorons have been used in many different mediums from political speeches to novels to stage plays. (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Julietby William Shakespeare, wherein “combining things that contrast” is an ongoing theme.) Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: “All the pain he ...
Oxymorons are often confused with paradoxes—after all, both are textbook contradictions of terms. Despite the similarities, however, oxymorons and paradoxes are two different types of literary devices, each with their own special usage. We already gave an oxymoron definition above, so here let’s talk about paradoxes. A paradox is a statement that t...
What is an oxymoron?
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that places contradictory terms next to each other in a word or phrase. As a literary device, it is used to make certain word combinations more thought-provoking to stand out.
What are some oxymoron examples?
Oxymorons are common in everyday speech. “Awfully good,” “bittersweet,” “same difference,” and “original copy” are a few oxymoron examples.
What is the difference between “oxymoron” and “paradox?”
Oxymorons combine contradictory words, but paradoxes combine contradictory ideas. Usually, oxymorons are made up of just two words, but paradoxes are complete sentences, sometimes entire paragraphs.
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings, like “old news,” “deafening silence,” or “organized chaos.” Learn how oxymorons are used to create dramatic effect, entertainment, or new ways of thinking, and see examples from literature and everyday speech.
Learn what an oxymoron is and how to use it in your writing with 60 examples from literature, pop culture, and song. Find out the difference between an oxymoron and a paradox, and see a list of 50+ oxymorons you can use for your SAT / ACT prep.
Dec 13, 2021 · Learn what an oxymoron is and how to use it in your writing. See examples of oxymorons in literature, pop culture, and everyday language.
- Definition of Oxymoron. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms.
- Common Examples of Oxymoron. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: Only choice. Same difference. Friendly fire. Virtual reality.
- Usage of Oxymoron in Speech or Writing. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: My sister and I had a friendly fight over the lipstick.
- Famous Oxymorons. Think you haven’t heard of any famous oxymorons? Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech: Titles. Little Bighorn Battlefield (national monument in Montana)
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired to make a point. Learn how to pronounce, distinguish, and use oxymorons with examples from literature, such as Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.
act naturally. advanced beginner. almost exactly. alone together. amazingly awful. approximately equal. bittersweet. calculated risk. climb down. close distance. consistently inconsistent. conspicuous absence.
