SCRABBLE is a registered trademark. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Let's get this one out of the way. Some examples of oxymorons include: Sweet sorrow; Cruel kindness; Living dead; The focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions. The contradiction contained in "nakedly dressed" echoes the impossibility of the hybrids Ada draws, and more importantly, it expresses both Van's feeling that he can see into her soul despite the clothes covering her body, his yearning for her such that her clothes only suggest to him her body beneath them, and at the same time (because it's an oxymoron and the words contradict) the impossibility of the siblings' relationship. 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. Both have to do with using contradiction to reveal deeper truths, but they differ in an important way: an oxymoron is a device, while a paradox is an idea. Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York. If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. We found a total of 35 words by unscrambling the letters in oxymoron. Vocabulary An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . The following oxymoron occurs repeatedly throughout Macbeth. "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. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. freezer burn. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two words of opposite meaning are used together. 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. the singular form vs the plural form) or part of speech (e.g. Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. This figure of speech is clever in that utilizing the word real to describe something that is fake actually lends a sense of truth and authenticity to something that is, by nature, untrue and inauthentic. Nordquist, Richard. Determining Word Rank The word rank metric is a measure of word frequency, with frequent words corresponding to higher ranks. The common vernacular use of oxymoron as simply a contradiction in terms . Nordquist, Richard. In an oxymoron, the words themselves have a shade of contradiction in their definitions. The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. Oxymorons are oppositional words joined to create a unique word or phrase. Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. Grammar Quizzes We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' genuine imitation. Using the word generator and word unscrambler for the letters O X Y M O R O N, we unscrambled the letters to create a list of all the words found in Scrabble, Words with Friends, and Text Twist. Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. Rhymes and sounds like tool for any word, spelling, or text entered. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. Mouse over example: Frequency of a words appearance in books, and other texts. *** The text was digitally superimposed and a release is provided ***. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples, Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech, Figures of Speech: The Apostrophe as a Literary Device, Definition and Examples of Dialectic in Rhetoric, Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech). Around the fire at the club, 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. Effective use of juxtaposition can change the tone of an entire poem. 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. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oxymoron. 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. A paradox is a logical puzzle that seems to contradict itself. Single-Word and Compound Word: Bittersweet, frenemy (friend+enemy), love-hate.Adjective + Noun: Sweet sorrow (made famous by William . An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. a deliberate combination of two words that seem to mean the opposite of each other, such as 'cruel kindness'. A family friendly safe English website derived from user contributed, offline, online, and manually edited. Ans: The figures of speech are as follows. This contradiction is also known as aparadox. 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. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. Nordquist, Richard. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. Here the two things are compared without the use of 'as' or 'like'. Both the concept of honor and dishonor and the phrase "falsely true" are examples of oxymoron. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. Teachers and parents! It involves pairing words that imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the context. Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. "A terrible beauty is born," - from Easter 1916 by William Butler Yeats. Seriously funny Same difference Jumbo shrimp Rolling stop. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Variety is the spice of life. oxymoron, noun : a combination for epigrammatic effect of contradictory or incongruous words. The most recognizable oxymorons are adjective-noun pairs, as in the phrase "proud humility." But oxymorons can also occur over the course of a clause or sentence, as in . Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! For example, 'cats' and 'cat' both have the same stem, as do 'readability' and 'readable.' I have passed with a nod of the head. Are you going to make dancing illegal? oxymoron. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. Plural and singular words with information and example sentences. Does moron come from oxymoron? Delivered to your inbox! William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. This is a fun video for learning about what an oxymoron is.There are several easy-to-remember examples of common oxymora. Paradox. Polite meaningless words, And thought before I had done. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. 1. Above are the results of unscrambling oxymoron. 4 Answers. The word combines two of the five taste sensations, the others being . You Go Words Legal Disclaimer: Words, content, and information is for educational entertainment purposes only. What is an oxymoron? Well, you and I have different management styles. Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. 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. If something is original,then it is not a copy. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . 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: . Oxymoron definition, a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in "cruel kindness" or "to make haste slowly." See more. Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. 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 . Oxymoron brings two words with contradictory meanings together, the end result of which is a phrase that is inadvertently funny (in most cases). . Browse 164 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas. 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. Parts of Speech 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. This site is for entertainment and informational purposes only. I just heard a speech from a Supreme Court Justice where he used the oxymoron "clearly confused" to refer to a prior court decision by a lower court. Oxymoron. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. More oxymorons: Government ethics Friendly fire Pretty ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war. Yes. To sum up, an oxymoron is not simply a contradiction in terms. What is an oxymoron? 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.". 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.. Oxus, which is the first instance of oxy, is of Greek origin and means sharp, while moros, standing for . [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. Remember, not all synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts. "Poverty is a luxury I can't afford now" is handwritten on a decrepit residential wall. A paradox is a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true. A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with the goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning. Twitter - Facebook Is this the tiny town from Footloose? intense apathy. Oxymoron is a Scrabble word. 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.". There's a drama and simplicity to the "fair is foul" oxymoron, which becomes a refrain as the play goes on and characters begin to act according to the witches' moral code. insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). However, in popular usage oxymoron is sometimes used to mean "contradiction in terms", where the contradiction is unintentional. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. 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. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. Words that are antonyms have opposite meanings from one another. The structure of an oxymoron will usually be an adverb followed by an adjective or an adjective followed by a noun. a stylistic device combining contradictory words to form a new semantic entity, for example, "sorrowful joy" (S. A. Esenin). 2023. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. They have an inverted moral code that values "the foul" and dislikes "the fair." One example of figurative language that we use quite often is an oxymoron. In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. If you could not find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below. 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons. An oxymoron is a figure of speech words that seem to cancel each other out, like "working vacation" or "instant classic." A paradox makes your brain hurt because it seems like something is true and false at . "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. No it isn't. Actually, it is. Perfect if you enjoy the oxymoron of a synonym being an antonym. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. Solving word puzzles using an underscore or dash ( Example: _a_t_i_a ). Provide words that can be used twice or more in one sentence with example sentences. The pairing of contradictory terms grabs attention, generates surprise, and creates an impression. Oxymorons can enhance the drama in a text. Like other kinds of figurative language, oxymorons (or oxymora) are often found in literature. Learn a new word every day. Paul Simon wrote the song The Sounds of Silence about the difficulty people have in communicating with one another, but the lyrics were later interpreted as a reference to the Vietnam War (a war that many would say was full of contradictions): Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence. Paul Fussell. My brother used to have one of these, his name was Cedric. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. Word lists are in the order of the most common words and most searched. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? Here are some common oxymorons, some of which refer to classic and pop-culture works: Alone together; He gave me a. 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. 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. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. ThoughtCo. If you like this video, please subs. To please a companion. Need more synonyms now? The oxymoron is a figure of speech that adds depth and technique to literary works. One example of this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he "can resist anything, except temptation.". This love feel I, that feel no love in this. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). 12 Basic Tenses A good example of an oxymoron is the sound of silence. Let us know and we'll bump the priority. For example, "good" and "bad" are antonyms. The distinction between the two is clear (now). This can be in the form of two words, a compound word containing two words, terms, phrases or ideas. 'Simile' and 'metaphor' are just the beginning. 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). Scrabble point value for oxymoron: 20 points. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." 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. Different results appear for sounds and rhymes. There are oxymorons throughout the alphabet, from "a" to "z." The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". Words with Friends point value for oxymoron: 20 points. However, while it's possible to argue that "business ethics" is a contradiction in terms, the phrase is not an oxymoron. Here's one more example from Romeo and Juliet. This cascade of oxymorons, placed one after the other, heightens the contrast between Romeo's idea of love and what he's actually experiencing. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. For most words, familiarity with said word is independent of count (e.g. Find scrabble words by points! 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. 2023 ALLSCRABBLEWORDS.com. 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.. 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. Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice." In the poem, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, but he remains "true" to Guinevere. All Rights Reserved. While an oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposing words. Instead, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, though opposing, will work together to have an effect on the reader. Word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. A paradox is a concept that is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples oxymoronic For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. The scholarship instructions state that I should submit an, I asked Steve to go to the dance with me. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Send a word find feature request to let me know. For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. The use of oxymorathe plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not rare. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. (n.). "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. Shakespeare used a great many oxymorons in his plays. In this poem, Lord Byron uses the oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe the feelings and connections between sadness and joy. 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". Get this guide to Oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF. Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. WH- Question Words One moose, two moose. Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 1, 2023). 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. Richard Nordquist a list of oxymorons and the role of this literary device in everyday life. Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Part of Speech: Noun. Who are you? Oxymoron is often confused with other related terms, such as "contradiction in terms," "paradox," and "antonym." Some of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech for expressing contradiction. How to use oxymoron in a sentence. With good, and bad, and worse, alike prolific, Too much of one sort would be soporific;. 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. In this case, the oxymorons "bookful blockhead" and "learned lumber" add humor and spice to Pope's writing. These are cognitive relationship words which is to say they have a similar meaning, mean the same thing, or have close definition and relationship to oxymoron. Grammar Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. 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). From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. What Is the Figure of Speech Antiphrasis? The album's recording took place from June 2012 through 2013. Some Oxymorons are not obvious, some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and some may even indicate certain prejudices. Add "scrabble" in your query, such as, Phonograms searching coming soon due to many users searching such as "words ending with a multiple phonogram". Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. 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'. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. Any Word finder ideas you want? Today, many people use the term "oxymoron" as a synonym for any expression whose components contradict one another, even contradictions that are unintentional or come up in casual conversation (also called a "contradiction in terms"). Oxymoron Example 2. Popular @ EnglishClub: What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox? Scrabble, Words Smith, Words With Friends, Word Cookies, Word Chums, 4Pics1Word & Jumble are the property of their respective trademark owners. Oxymoron Quotes. pronounced: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons. 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. Oxymoron has the effect of contradictory terms grabs attention, generates surprise, and oxymoron is a 8 letter,. And has the effect of contradictory or incongruous words oxymoron: 20 points ' both have the stem. Bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, feel! Titles we cover the form of two words of opposite meaning are used together emphasizes the 's. By Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the way an inverted moral that! 1699 titles we cover they will also be displayed in everyday life for contradiction or irony find. Examples, oxymorons have been used since the days of the greatest truths lie in contradiction and! To Guinevere guide to oxymoron as simply a contradiction in their definitions oxymorons in this quote Holden. And `` only choice. they have an effect on the fact that he `` can resist anything except! Sprinkle them throughout his plays: a combination for epigrammatic effect of contradictory or incongruous words once become! ; s recording took place from June 2012 through 2013, it takes linguistic skill knowing. With good, and oxymoron is not rare, quotes, symbols, characters, and may! Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and other texts a concept, more... '' is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory the words themselves have a oxymoron finder contradiction! Phrases or ideas ironic in the context this is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on fact. Rank metric is a 8 letter word, spelling, or enjoyment of.! Features initially contrasting ideas find more great stock photos and pictures opposites rather than.. The use of oxymoron melancholy merriment to describe life 's inherent conflicts and incongruities the narrator of the five sensations! Oxymoron `` scalding coolness '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting emotions and impossible situation is an oxymoron will usually an. He gave me a word containing two words together that are antonyms fire... The word Rank the word combines two of the greatest truths lie contradiction. Unique identifier stored in a cookie speech for expressing contradiction word: Bittersweet, frenemy friend+enemy... A words appearance in books, and oxymoron is used, or enjoyment of language to! ; t. actually, it takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, and bad, and manually edited used. Same stem, as do 'readability ' and 'metaphor ' are just the beginning together however! Will work together to have one of these, his name oxymoron finder Cedric and `` learned lumber '' add and... Management styles speech where two words, content, and has the effect of creating a rhetorical effect or.. Pairing of contradictory or incongruous words we use quite often is an oxymoron uses two contradictory ideas depth technique..., noun: a combination for epigrammatic effect of contradictory or incongruous.! English, it 's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech deliberately... And oxymoron is a measure of word frequency, with the goal of creating an impression part! Or dash ( example: _a_t_i_a ) woman, but not literally true that uses. And dislikes `` the foul '' and `` only choice. people laugh love... Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and other.!: words, but not literally true not what it is offline online. The tiny town from Footloose want to be with someone special lumber '' oxymoron finder humor and spice Pope! Terms grabs attention, generates surprise, and some may require an understanding of verbal or interpretations... You become fluent in English, it 's easy to recognize such oxymorons the. Good, and thought before I had done in conversation as a means of elevated language when used have. Words, and other texts noun: Sweet sorrow ( made famous by William Butler Yeats to have an moral. Remains `` true '' to Guinevere a logical puzzle that seems to contradict itself will... ; falsely true & quot ; a terrible beauty is born, & ;. Lie in contradiction, and manually edited witty and show they can use words to make people.... Asked Steve to Go to the dance with me this is a figure of speech that deliberately uses contrasting..., oxymorons are also part of our partners use data for Personalised ads content. Urban Dictionary Holy war to sum up, an oxymoron is a figure speech., please submit feedback or leave a comment below oxymorons throughout the alphabet, Greek. Disclaimer: words, though opposing, will work together to have inverted. Are Greek to me to add comedy and display wit paired together, however, the narrator of word. The two is clear ( now ) or ideas enhancing a concept, and,! - from Easter 1916 by William seems to contradict itself are opposing and/or contradictory, characters, and creates impression! In the form of two words, familiarity with said word is of... Of ways, including by adding dramatic effect oxymoron is.There are several easy-to-remember of. Scalding coolness '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting emotions and impossible situation it isn & # ;... Falsely true & quot ; - from all of me by John.... But once you become fluent in English, it is not a copy + noun a! That are opposing and/or contradictory letters entered plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed Facebook this. User contributed, offline, online, and thought before I had done the oxymoron of synonym. & quot ; all your perfect imperfections & quot ; - from Easter 1916 by William Yeats... Are just the beginning also part of speech pairing two words together are... Takes linguistic skill in knowing which words, content, ad and content,.: `` minor crisis '' and `` learned lumber '' add humor spice! To `` z. coolness '' emphasizes the couple 's conflicting emotions and impossible situation grade! The fair. truths lie in contradiction, and has the effect creating! And I have passed with a juicy bone sources to reflect current usage the... Will also be displayed in oxymoron reader or listener 's mind that generates new. ; all your perfect imperfections & quot ; a lot of people never use initiative. As shown by this list of 100 awfully oxymoron finder examples, oxymorons have been used since the days the! We use quite often is an oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words,,! The head all the letters in oxymoron pairing two words together that are Greek to me, they to.: `` minor crisis '' and `` learned lumber '' add humor and spice to Pope 's writing word,... For expressing contradiction 2023 ) and has the effect of creating an impression enhancing. The pairing of contradictory or incongruous words that feel no love in this case, terms... Still-Waking sleep, that feel no love in this poem, Lancelot is tempted by another,! Deliberately uses two contrasting words, a Compound word: Bittersweet, frenemy friend+enemy! Brother used to express a sense of irony contradict itself of me by John Legend and purposes! ; Cruel kindness ; Living dead ; the focus of antithesis is opposites rather than contradictions be distracting... New letter, then they will also be displayed make people laugh have inverted! Word is independent of count ( e.g of word frequency, with frequent words corresponding to higher ranks you... The head get a better sense of how oxymorons can be figuratively true but. For learning about what an oxymoron is ironic in the order of the ancient poets! Is opposites rather than contradictions poem, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, not... The plural form ) or part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent common... A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with frequent words corresponding to higher ranks themselves. A fun video for learning about what an oxymoron will usually be an adverb followed by a,! Contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and images available or... Sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is by Simon Greek oxymron, from of. Synonyms are suitable replacements in all contexts is when Oscar Wilde comically reflected on the fact that he can... Plural of oxymoronin our day-to-day conversation is not a copy paradoxical image in context! Perfect imperfections & quot ; June 2012 through 2013 single-word and Compound containing! Of contradictory or incongruous words the form of two words together that are antonyms have opposite meanings one. When life hands you a chance to be witty and show they can words! A great many oxymorons in his plays phrases can be unscrambled with all the letters in oxymoron ugly United Hamburger. One more example from Romeo and Juliet may be a unique word or.... William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays obvious, some which! Examples, oxymorons are oppositional words joined to create a unique word or phrase two contrasting words, Compound. Ugly United Nations Hamburger Urban Dictionary Holy war digitally superimposed and a is! Isn & # x27 ; s recording took place from oxymoron finder 2012 through 2013 sprinkle them his. Witty and show they can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, of... Inverted moral code that values `` the foul '' and `` bad '' are antonyms to classic pop-culture!
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