oxymoron
0 synonyms and 2 antonyms for oxymoron, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A figure of speech that pairs two contradictory words for effect, such as "deafening silence."
Antonyms
How to use oxymoron
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Greek roots meaning "sharp" and "dull/foolish" — the word describing contradictions is itself a small contradiction.
Full origin of oxymoron →Frequently asked questions
What does “oxymoron” mean?
The word “oxymoron” means a figure of speech that pairs two contradictory words for effect, such as "deafening silence.". In plain terms, a phrase that puts two opposite ideas together on purpose, often for a striking or witty effect.
How do you pronounce “oxymoron”?
“Oxymoron” is pronounced ok-sih-MAW-ron (/ˌɑksiˈmɔɹɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “oxymoron” in a sentence?
Here is “oxymoron” used in a sentence: “"Jumbo shrimp" is a classic oxymoron.”
What is the opposite of “oxymoron”?
The opposite of “oxymoron” — its antonyms — are pleonasm and redundancy.
What part of speech is “oxymoron”?
“Oxymoron” is a noun.
Where does the word “oxymoron” come from?
The word “oxymoron” comes from Greek. From Greek roots meaning "sharp" and "dull/foolish" — the word describing contradictions is itself a small contradiction.
How many meanings does “oxymoron” have?
“Oxymoron” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a figure of speech that pairs two contradictory words for effect, such as "deafening silence.".