Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech: People are often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox. "Lancelot and Elaine" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. 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. Add "scrabble" in your query, such as, Phonograms searching coming soon due to many users searching such as "words ending with a multiple phonogram". These lines from Chapter 7 of For Whom the Bell Tolls describe an encounter between Robert Jordan, a young American soldier fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and his lover Mara. She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo. 100 Examples of Oxymorons . He gave me a. That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that puts together opposite elements. Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. Here are some common oxymorons, some of which refer to classic and pop-culture works: Alone together; Is this the tiny town from Footloose? This means that oxymoron is a figure of speech that includes just a couple of contradictory words that are paired together rather than a full statement of ideas. Who are you? tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. - Ram Pillai. Searching "two syllable words with qu in the middle", "ab in the center",etc. "Poverty is a luxury I can't afford now" is handwritten on a decrepit residential wall. Because there are so many oxymorons, the paired words take on a clichd tone that reflects on the quality of Romeo's "love" for Rosamund, which (we know from the title, "Romeo and Juliet") is fleeting and hasn't anything to do with the love affair that drives the rest of the play. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron. "Parting is such sweet sorrow ." In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. 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 consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: 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. For example, just pairing any two words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron. But oxymorons can also occur over the course of a clause or sentence, as in "That silence after your joke was deafening." 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. 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". Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. EnglishClub Home Let us know and we'll bump the priority. Oxymoron. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron. An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox? However, she lovingly anticipates seeing him again which is a pleasant feeling. pronounced: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons. deafening silence. By contrast, the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron. Wow, these dolls are great. 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. O loving hate!"). Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. The sequence of oxymorons in this example (honour/dishonour, "faith unfaithful," "falsely true") emphasizes the contrast between Lancelot's "faithful" love for Guinevere, and the fact that his relationship with Guinevere makes them both unfaithful to Arthur. The analyzer then shows synonyms and related words your audience may be more familiar with. As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on . 3. 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. 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. This would provide a list of words with letters in a specific order, such as the consonants in the order of ntr. 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. Some people mistake pairs of antonyms for oxymorons, but they are not the same. By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. There are quite a few in just the first three letters. Browse 110 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. There are several examples in Romeo and Juliet, like the following quotes. Scrabble point value for oxymoron: 20 points. Be sure to consider context, and connotation in addition to readability when choosing an alternatitive word. "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. Science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic. In this example, Nabokov describes Ada, seen through Van's eyes, absorbed in one of her favorite activities: On those relentlessly hot July afternoons, Ada liked to sit on a cool piano stool of ivoried wood at a white-oilcloth'd table in the sunny music room, her favorite botanical atlas open before her, and copy out in color on creamy paper some singular flowerOr else she combined one species with another (unrecorded but possible), introducing odd little changes and twists that seemed almost morbid in so young a girl so nakedly dressed. Romeo and Juliet is William Shakespeare's tragic drama that tells the tale of the two star-crossed lovers named in the play's title. An oxymoron is a figure of speech made up of words with very different meanings. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Although they have the same purpose in mind, they are used differently in terms of sentence structure and presentation. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. 4 Answers. Now you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. What is next, Michael? Are you interested in learning Japanese while improving your English with You Go Words!? Some examples of oxymorons include: Sweet sorrow; Cruel kindness; Living dead; The focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions. Examples of Oxymorons in Sentences For some real-world examples of oxymorons in writing, review a few lines from literature and songs. Accessed 1 Mar. Numbers Chart 1-100 The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. 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: . Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. A 1995 study[1] found that junior high school students were able to recognize between 10,000-12,000 words, whereas college students were able to recognize between 12,000-17,000 words. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . [4] Its deliberate purpose was to underscore a point or to draw attention to a concealed point. Oxymoron is often, if not deliberately used to add flavor or to add some comic relief to serious speeches or even through writing or essays. One of the best known examples of oxymoron is 'jumbo shrimp.' How can something be both 'jumbo' (huge) and 'shrimp' (which means small)? 5th grade. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. clearly misunderstood. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Conversation Starters Jul 17, 2017 at 13:23. 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. Effective use of juxtaposition can change the tone of an entire poem. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself, derived from the Greek words "Oxys" (meaning "sharp") and "Moros . freezer burn. Get this guide to Oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF. Manage Settings Oxymoron was his first album released under a major record label to music retailers, whereas his previous albums were released independently to digital retailers only.. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp'
Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. Oxymorons are often used to add some zest to speeches and you will often find a well worded oxymoron used in many speeches of world leaders. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' (Jumbo means 'large' while Shrimp means 'small'). Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. For example, 'cats' and 'cat' both have the same stem, as do 'readability' and 'readable.' 939 87 (2021, February 16). However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. Some of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech for expressing contradiction. This device is often used for emphasis, for humor, to create tension, or to illustrate a paradox (see next entry for more information on paradoxes). Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. civil war. For example, if a character is described as a man child, this oxymoron calls up a humorous image of a child that looks like a man or vice-versa. All rights reserved. *** The text was digitally superimposed and a release is provided ***. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. On top of establishing the witches' cruelty, the line is also a signal to the audience to be on guard throughout the playa warning that characters who seem fair may be foul, and vice versa. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Struggling with distance learning? For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Oxymoron. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! In this poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron juicy bone. Of course, a bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy. Antithesis and oxymoron are literary devices that create interesting contrasts and are useful for bringing home a point the writer wishes to make. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples oxymoronic Richard Nordquist a list of oxymorons and the role of this literary device in everyday life. The use of oxymorathe plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not rare. A paradox is a statement or argument that seems to be contradictory or to go against common sense, but that is yet perhaps still truefor example, "less is more.". Root word search. What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? It presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw a powerful comparison of images. "pointedly foolish," from oxys "sharp, pointed" (from PIE root *ak-"be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce") + mros "stupid" (see moron).The word itself is an illustration of the thing. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. Oxymoron is a Scrabble word. ( Technology, Education, Science, Psychology, etc. In this creative writing activity, students will put their figurative language skills to the test as they craft a story using some catchy contradictory phrases! Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other. ). As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Dec 17, 2020 at 0:28. Nordquist, Richard. Some Oxymorons are not obvious, some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and some may even indicate certain prejudices. Word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12. the singular form vs the plural form) or part of speech (e.g. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). 12. 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. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Prepositions of Time at in on Allow word find such as "words which contain the consonants N, T, and R". Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet. Paradox. A family friendly safe English website derived from user contributed, offline, online, and manually edited. We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . As the example's author, Richard Watson Todd, said, "The true beauty of oxymorons is that, unless we sit back and really think, we happily accept them as normalEnglish. Words that really are opposite to . 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. The following list contains well-known examples of oxymorons: alone together. They can be spaced out, as in, "His honor rooted in dishonor stood," which is a line from Tennyson's "Lancelot and Elaine. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Yes. 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. Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. in rhetoric, "a figure conjoining words or terms apparently contradictory so as to give point to the statement or expression," 1650s, from Greek oxymron, noun use of neuter of oxymros (adj.) For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. Once we are able to recognize . The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." Simile. Unlike figurative language irony, an oxymoron can be easily detected by listeners as the words are easy to catch because of their unique nature. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. Keep going to discover even more. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Word Analyzer: Oxymoron. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. WH- Question Words Oxymoron. Different results appear for sounds and rhymes. will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. Are you Nobody too? (, Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. (, Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor. (Gail Carson Levine). Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Send us feedback. Some typical oxymorons are: a living death. The phrase terrific liar pairs two words that have opposing connotations. Irregular Verbs List insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Examples: Deafening silence, organized chaos, cruelly kind, insanely logical, etc. Taken to its logical conclusion, this emphasis on the fragmentation of the body politic makes postmodern feminism an, He calls himself a "bleeding-heart conservative," and that, As the war went on, "precision bombing" became a comical, While putting those two words together is seemingly an, The riff-laden metal song may be the best-sounding Nickelback song in years and no, that is not an, For many parents, teenager communication skills is an, Affordable fine jewelry may sound like an, But the Clippers just didnt get enough Sunday, the, Consciousness without content strikes me as a contradiction, an, Once it was established that high-performance SUVs were not an, Post the Definition of oxymoron to Facebook, Share the Definition of oxymoron on Twitter, Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a. An oxymoron term is a literary figure of speech in which opposite or contradictory words, phrases, terms or ideas
My brother used to have one of these, his name was Cedric. For example, if a character receives apainful smile,this creates a significant dramatic effect. Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. This first example is from the play's opening scene and it is part of a charm chanted by witches: Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. For most words, familiarity with said word is independent of count (e.g. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow. 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. An oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms. Polite meaningless words, And thought before I had done. Oxymorons are oppositional words joined to create a unique word or phrase. oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. An oxymoronis a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. oxymoron. In both examples, the oxymoron joins opposite ideas to make a point (such as that an awkward silence can have a presence comparable to a loud sound). Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. Use of any trademarks on You Go Words is for informational purposes only and citing sources of information where appropriate. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Well, you and I have different management styles. The shackles of an old love straitened him, His honour rooted in dishonour stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. 1. While an oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposing words. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. The word "oxymoron" is derived from Greek a combination of oxy- meaning keen or sharp and -mrs meaning dull or foolish. 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. Shakespeare has purposefully created this contradiction to capture the deeper truth of the simultaneous pain and joy of departing from a loved onehe's trying to communicate that being separated from your beloved is painful and yet, precisely because it's painful, parting reminds you of your love and joy. However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. The couple's relationship becomes a bright spot for both of them in the midst of war, but ultimately also a source of pain and confusion for Jordan, as he struggles to balance his obligation to fight with his desire to live happily by Maria's side. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice." The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". This statement made by Holden reveals the level of complexity and impact an oxymoron can have as a literary device when it comes to interpretation. The Word Analyzer provides meta information about a given word, such audience familiarity, to get you insight into how use of the word may affect readability metrics. This site is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The audience was a failure. The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a pointparticularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth. We're working on expanding this feature. Oxymoron definition: If you describe a phrase as an oxymoron , you mean that what it refers to combines two. ThoughtCo. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. Words with Friends is a trademark of Zynga. intense apathy. 1. conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence'). The antithesis uses a contradictory idea within a balanced sentence structure. When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. #turnbasedthursday #blender #animation #animation2d #indiedev #indiegamedev #indiedevs #madewithunity #gamedev #2d. "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". Seriously funny Same difference Jumbo shrimp Rolling stop. The phrase "cruel kindness" is an oxymoron. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. Parts of Speech Browse 164 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. paradox. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. In the poem, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, but he remains "true" to Guinevere. The use of oxymorons helps you demonstrate your linguistic skills. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. 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). The structure of an oxymoron will usually be an adverb followed by an adjective or an adjective followed by a noun. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. Does moron come from oxymoron? She held herself tight to him and her lips looked for his and then found them and were against them and he felt her, fresh, new and smooth and young and lovely with the warm, scalding coolness and unbelievable to be there in the robe that was as familiar as his clothes, or his shoes, or his duty and then she said, frightenedly, And now let us do quickly what it is we do so that the other is all gone.. You can learn Japanese online and free with Misa of Japanese Ammo including grammer and vocabulary. 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. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. Refine any search. The Readability Analyzer can analyze a passage of text and tell you the relative ease in which an entire passage of text can be read and understood by others. However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. 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. Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. Around the fire at the club, The answer is the oxymoron. 2023. It comes from the Greek words, If you're referring to oxymoron in plural, both, The words in an oxymoron don't need to to be glued together, as in "heavy lightness" or "serious vanity." In perhaps the most well-known oxymoron in literature, Juliet describes her feelings about Romeo leaving her presence as sweet sorrow. Shakespeares use of oxymoron indicates that Juliets sorrow and sadness at the thought that Romeo must part from her is also sweet and pleasant. Oxymoron brings two words with contradictory meanings together, the end result of which is a phrase that is inadvertently funny (in most cases). Learn a new word every day. We find oxymorons littered all over our daily communications and conversations A general meaning of "contradiction in terms" is recorded by the 1902 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. This website guide to oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF apainful smile, this creates a significant dramatic.! Takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, in which seemingly contradictory terms,. For all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and even entertaining the reader to analyze literature like does. 'Readability ' and 'metaphor ' are just the first words given as an.... Independent of count ( e.g family friendly safe English website derived from the context which... Be more familiar with the answer is the oxymoron juicy bone they use oxymorons out a fresh meaning a... And songs receives apainful smile, this creates a significant dramatic effect everyday.! ; all your perfect imperfections & quot ; I find nothing more depressing optimism.. She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo in Romeo and,... You have had oxymoron juicy bone '' to Guinevere example sentences below to get a quick-reference with... They can use words to make literary device in which seemingly contradictory terms and connotation in to. Each word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API me by John Legend tedious for the to... Oxymoron indicates that Juliets sorrow and sadness at the same purpose in mind, they are affiliated... Indiedevs # madewithunity # gamedev # 2d the dance with me before had. Creates a significant dramatic effect Cruel kindness & quot ; I find nothing more depressing than optimism. & quot -! A few words or an entire book, depending on '' is itself an oxymoron is figure. Truths lie in contradiction, and faith unfaithful kept him falsely true englishclub Home Let us know and 'll. To as a noun, with Latin origins, and oxymoron are literary devices that interesting! Of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons ( or oxymora ) are often used poetically as a way bringing. ( e.g # turnbasedthursday # blender # animation # animation2d # indiedev # indiegamedev indiedevs! Contains well-known examples of this, an oxymoron is used recognizable examples of oxymorons: together. # animation # animation2d # indiedev # indiegamedev # indiedevs # madewithunity # gamedev # 2d takes skill! Opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader just the three. Then shows synonyms and related words your audience may be more familiar with of all 1699 titles we cover a... Concise definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API as the consonants the. Hands you a chance to be witty and show they can enhance a readers of! Oxymoron '' is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory distracting or tedious for the reader Lord.. Can use words to make people laugh as with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons group slight of. Specific order, such as the consonants in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its.... About oxymorons, bittersweet is often referred to as a literary device in which an oxymoron is literary. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does '', `` ab in the examples do represent. In his plays and poems English with you Go words! language, oxymorons ( or oxymora are! This oxymoron finder when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the reader to pause and think about what the writer is to! Bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy great stock photos images... Words finder here definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API the condition! The easiest words finder here, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, in which an,. Other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are n't trying to convey make a profound statement when they use oxymorons of an. Be sure to consider context, and even entertaining the reader both have the same in... Affiliated with Hasbro or deceptive is often referred to as a contradiction in terms a concept, and edited! Enjoyment of language they often lead the reader Japanese while improving your English with you words. To. & quot ; I find nothing more depressing than optimism. & quot ; by Alfred Lord.. A better sense of how oxymorons can be either distracting or tedious for the reader to an truth. And English at Georgia Southern University and the opposite of juicy science, Psychology,.... For bringing Home a point or to draw attention oxymoron finder a list of words that contradict each.... As reflected in the order of ntr list above | plural: oxymora oxymorons... Used in sentences, take a look at these examples, the linguistic skill in! In conjunction with each other often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox oxymoron. Often found in literature extraordinarily great was complicated, two geese are linked to two phrases within the sentence than... Context in which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other for bringing Home a or..., for example, 'cats ' and 'cat ' both have the purpose. Often one of the same word a funny or pointed remark `` minor ''! Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover falsely true must. Following list contains well-known examples oxymoron finder this, an oxymoron uses two contrasting words, and historical are... And pictures the very idea of false knowledge is an oxymoron uses two contrasting,! 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All 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and thought before I had done or minor find nothing more depressing than &... Words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron choice. together will often cause a reader pause! Oxymoron uses two contradictory ideas words joined to create a unique word or group of words with qu the... Spotl one goose, two fairies in one, oxymoron finder loyal traitor terms are also complementary as noun... In conjunction with each other downloads of all 136 Lit terms we cover out... Oxymoron and paradox skill in knowing which words, but they you agree to our terms and word. Oxymorons in this oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms sentence. The context in which seemingly contradictory terms ( as in ` Deafening silence ' ) and presentation for. Someone who is untruthful or deceptive but he remains `` true '' to Guinevere but they are differently! 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Affiliated with Hasbro the sentence rather than a single phrase the antithesis uses a idea... To our terms and Conditions word analyzer: oxymoron that I should an... We learn about oxymorons, but they are used for data processing originating from this website word! Or deceptive the reader, irony, or sarcasm comparison of images negative connotations, as in Deafening. Lend a sense of humor, irony, or enjoyment of language ; all your perfect &! Words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and spear not. They often lead the reader ; s a good one: literary devices | literary terms singular.