Meaning & use
oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms for rhetorical effect.
See it in a sentence
"Deafening silence" is a classic oxymoron that captures how overwhelming quiet can feel.
The critic joked that "jumbo shrimp" is the most famous oxymoron in the English language.
A note on using this word
Distinct from a simple contradiction; an oxymoron is used deliberately for stylistic or humorous effect.
Words with a similar meaning
contradiction in terms
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
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