However, you may come across many such examples that need verbal interpretations and deep understanding. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. Next, read up on what an aphorism is and how its used. In many cases they are obvious. 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. An oxymoron is a phrase made of two or more words that actually have opposite meanings. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. situs link alternatif kamislot the word nascar is an oxymoron The main topic of this poem is the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, an event during whichnumerous Irish nationalists rebelled against the British government in Ireland. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. They are known as oxymora, and in this article, you will find an oxymoron list, which will give you some really good and yet, funny oxymora so that you can understand the concept better. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. In a 2009 article called "Daredevil", Garry Wills accused William F. Buckley of popularising this trend, based on the success of the latter's claim that "an intelligent liberal is an oxymoron. Theoxymorons here point toLancelot's contradictory existence in regard to his relationships with both Guinevere and King Arthur: Lancelot isa "faithful" and "honorable" lover to Guinevere yet also an "unfaithful" and "dishonorable" knight to King Arthur, Guineveres husband, whom he is essentially betraying by carrying out a love affair with the queen. Supermarket was coined by adding the prefix super- (higher in quantity, quality, or degree) to the noun market for a large store that carried a vast assortment of groceries and other household goods. In literary contexts, the author does not usually signal the use of an oxymoron, but in rhetorical usage, it has become common practice to advertise the use of an oxymoron explicitly to clarify the argument, as in: In this example, "Epicurean pessimist" would be recognized as an oxymoron in any case, as the core tenet of Epicureanism is equanimity (which would preclude any sort of pessimist outlook). An oxymoron is a term for a figure of speech that is made up of two or more words that seem to be the opposite of each other or truly are opposite of each other. Althoughthe adjective "sweet" evokes a giddy, romantic emotion, the word "sorrow" callsto mind the much less happy, far more depressing aspect of having tobid farewell to someone you'd rather not leave. RELATED: Palindrome Examples: Words and Phrases That Are the Same Backwards and Forwards, RELATED: The Most Confusing Rules in the Grammar World, RELATED:The Best-Ever Hyperbole Examples, RELATED: Pangram Examples Every Word Lover Will Appreciate. As a literary device, it is used to make certain word combinations more thought-provoking to stand out. Oxymorons present an ideal opportunity to be clever or funny. Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. cabarrus county sheriff's office directory . Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. Consider these oxymoron examples: I am a deeply superficial person. Andy Warhol, I distinctly remember forgetting that. Clara Barton. Writers and poets have used it for centuries as a literary device to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities. [7] The word oxymoron is autological, i.e. Home Uncategorized the word nascar is an oxymoron. That I shall say good night till it be morrow. Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. In this scene, Juliet utters the phrase "sweet sorrow" to describe the feeling she has when having to say goodbye to Romeo. He gave me a. 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. We already gave an oxymoron definition above, so here lets talk about paradoxes. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. [3], The term oxymoron is first recorded as Latinized Greek oxymrum, in Maurus Servius Honoratus (c. AD 400);[4] it is derived from the Greek word okss "sharp, keen, pointed"[5] and mros "dull, stupid, foolish";[6] as it were, "sharp-dull", "keenly stupid", or "pointedly foolish". He enjoyed writing things that weren't meant to be taken literally, simply pondered upon. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. "pointedly foolish," from oxys "sharp, pointed" (from PIE root *ak- "be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce") + mros "stupid" (see moron ). Some oxymorons are accidental and/or so common in our speech that we dont realize that theyre totally contradictory. the word nascar is an oxymoron. That makes oxymorons a serious option in, is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814 (accessed March 4, 2023). Value Added Publishing. An oxymoron is a figure of speech where two terms seem contradictory. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. All rights reserved. We must also inform you that an oxymoron and a moron have little in common except that both words come from the Greek word for "foolish" (mros). [23], Other examples include "honest politician", "act naturally", "affordable caviar" (1993),[24] "happily married" and "Microsoft Works" (2000).[25]. This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. "A figure of speech in which a pair of opposed or markedly contradictory terms are placed in conjunction for emphasis", "closely related to hysteron proteron, it shouldn't be, "Hosted for 33 years by the conservative intellectual William F. Buckley Jr., the show [. Consider the oxymoron example deafening silence. Oxymorons are often used in everyday conversation and ina breadth of writing, such as literature, poetry, and songwriting. Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. It was featured notably by Leonardo da Vinci in such works as The Adoration of the Magi (ca. This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. The best oxymorons emphasize contrasts, incongruities or the complex nature of reality. A common oxymoron example is "bittersweet"the two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oxymoron. brennan boesch career earnings cameron boyce funeral cameron boyce funeral Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples, Definition and Examples of Irony (Figure of Speech). Bittersweet When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow." We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Privacy Policy. The following is a list for kids who too are struggling to get the correct contradictory set of words together for an assignment or project. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. 6 Critically Acclaimed Female Authors You Should Read Before You Die, These Favorite Childrens Book Quotes Will Take You Back In Time, Survival Books Fiction: 5 Fascinating Tales to Read in 2021, Must Read Fiction Books: 5 Essential Literature Classics, Non Fiction War Books: 5 Essential True Stories About War and Peace, Fiction Books for 2nd Graders: 5 Essentials to Add to your Shelves. The N Word is a figure of speech - a racist and hateful figure of speech. The Ancient Greeks came up with this term for a rhetorical device employing contradiction by combining the word for sharp, keen (oxys) with the aforementioned mros, meaning foolish.. Merriam-Webster defines an oxymoron as a rhetorical device in which a combination of contradictory or incongruous words is used in conjunction. The word oxymoron is an ancient Greek word, which translates most closely to something like sharply dull or cleverly stupid. In other words, the oxymoron definition is itself an oxymoron. Easy Examples of Oxymorons Act naturally This presents the word silence in a unique way thats particularly expressive. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. A Comprehensive Guide. If you are looking for something seriously funny that will serve as a simply brilliant example of an oxymoron, the following article provides you with a compiled oxymoron list. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Palindrome Examples: Words and Phrases That Are the Same Backwards and Forwards, The Most Confusing Rules in the Grammar World, Pangram Examples Every Word Lover Will Appreciate, Stock Your Spring Closet with 12 Dresses Under $100, More Than 300 Words Were Just Added to Dictionary.com, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Sound of Silence: Song by Simon & Garfunkel, All your perfect imperfections: John Legend in his song All of Me, Clara Barton: I distinctly remember forgetting that., Isaac Bashevis Singer: We must believe in free will. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. Delivered to your inbox! It involves pairing words that imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the context. This list is in no way comprehensive, and just aims at giving you an idea as to what oxymora are. 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. Copyright Penlighten & Buzzle.com, Inc. Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. Sometimes they're used to create a little bit of drama for the reader; sometimes they're used to make a person stop and think, whether that's to laugh or to wonder. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective followed by a noun with contrasting meanings. This famous quotation from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. For example, oxymoron phrases such as marital bliss, military intelligence,andbusiness ethics,depending on how they are used as figures of speech, can be effective literary devices to indicate irony. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. Website, Richard Nordquist defines oxymorons as a literary device used by writers and poets for centuries "to describe life's inherent conflicts and incongruities.". [11], Other examples from English-language literature include:
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