Oxymoron
noun /ˌɒk.siˈmɔː.rɒn/ — A figure of speech combining contradictory terms
Definition
A combination of two contradictory or opposing words placed together for effect — creating meaning through contradiction rather than in spite of it.
Beyond the definition
The compressed paradox. An oxymoron doesn't resolve its contradiction; it holds both sides in productive tension.
Origin & history
From Greek 'oxymoros' — 'oxys' (sharp, keen) + 'moros' (dull, foolish). The word is itself an oxymoron: sharply dull.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Bittersweet. Deafening silence. Living death. The oxymoron forces the reader to hold two truths at once.
Her writing was full of oxymorons — she understood that the best truths resist summary.
'Organised chaos' became the oxymoron that perfectly described the studio.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Oxymoron” when the meaning fits your context: A combination of two contradictory or opposing words placed together for effect — creating meaning through contradiction rather than in spite of it.
Synonyms
paradox, contradiction, antithesis, irony
Antonyms
consistency, agreement
Related words
Oxymoron vs paradox
An oxymoron is a brief figure of speech using two contradictory terms. A paradox is a broader statement or situation that seems contradictory but may contain an underlying truth.
Questions about this word
What does "Oxymoron" mean?
Oxymoron is noun meaning: A figure of speech combining contradictory terms. A combination of two contradictory or opposing words placed together for effect — creating meaning through contradiction rather than in spite of it.
Where does the word "Oxymoron" come from?
From Greek 'oxymoros' — 'oxys' (sharp, keen) + 'moros' (dull, foolish). The word is itself an oxymoron: sharply dull.