There are 92 synonyms available. Some Oxymorons are not obvious, some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and some may even indicate certain prejudices. If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. A paradox is a logical puzzle that seems to contradict itself. Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Quotes tagged as "oxymoron" Showing 1-30 of 30. An oxymoron is a self-contradicting word or group of words (as in Shakespeares line from Romeo and Juliet, "Why, then, O brawling love! Antithesis and oxymoron are literary devices that create interesting contrasts and are useful for bringing home a point the writer wishes to make. "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. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. This is a pairing of opposing words that contradict each other. Some of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and oxymoron is one of the best figures of speech for expressing contradiction. Struggling with distance learning? 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. When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. In this poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron juicy bone. Of course, a bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy. - Ram Pillai. Main Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service | About Me | Contact. I mean, this is an oxymoron, there's nothing free about the speech today. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. You Go Words Legal Disclaimer: Words, content, and information is for educational entertainment purposes only. Solving word puzzles using an underscore or dash ( Example: _a_t_i_a ). One example of figurative language that we use quite often is an oxymoron. Night of the Living Dead: 1968 film. 1. conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence'). 4 Answers. Metaphor. I believe work should be fun, and you try to crush peoples spirits. Send us feedback. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. intense apathy. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? Thus the word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron. found missing. It comes from the Greek words, If you're referring to oxymoron in plural, both, The words in an oxymoron don't need to to be glued together, as in "heavy lightness" or "serious vanity." WH- Question Words By definition, an oxymoron is a figure of speech which contains a combination of words that appear contradictory or incongruous. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. The cat (and its speed) speed is compared to the wind. Is this the tiny town from Footloose? For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." For most words, familiarity with said word is independent of count (e.g. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. Oh my God, you have Cabbage Patch! Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. "A terrible beauty is born," - from Easter 1916 by William Butler Yeats. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Part of Speech: Noun. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. 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. 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. The shackles of an old love straitened him, His honour rooted in dishonour stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. Oxymoron brings two words with contradictory meanings together, the end result of which is a phrase that is inadvertently funny (in most cases). Here are instances in which its effective to use oxymoron in writing: Since most people dont use oxymoron very often when speaking, it does take linguistic skill to create one that is successful. This contradiction is also known as a paradox. My play was a complete success. Show with prefix and suffix options, only if it has a root word. Oxymoron. The phrase "cruel kindness" is an oxymoron. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. Oxymoron is often confused with other related terms, such as "contradiction in terms," "paradox," and "antonym." 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. Oxymoron is a 8 letter word, used as a noun, with Latin origins, and has the letters mnooorxy (mnorxy). 2001 - 2023 Oxymoron.info - All rights reserved. paradox. Barking is a word that indicates sound. Browse 110 oxymoron stock photos and images available, or search for contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures. The couple's relationship becomes a bright spot for both of them in the midst of war, but ultimately also a source of pain and confusion for Jordan, as he struggles to balance his obligation to fight with his desire to live happily by Maria's side. One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech by Romeo from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey. Terrific has positive connotations, as in wonderful or extraordinarily great. Variety is the spice of life. 12. Privacy Policy. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Also, this oxymoron is ironic in the context of a poem in which a funeral is the subject. /. That's what I did just now. FAQs on Oxymoron. Consider the common oxymorons and think about times they may have been included in conversations you have had. Therefore, Salinger cleverly calls into question Holdens reliability as a narrator through just this figure of speech. For example, 'cats' and 'cat' both have the same stem, as do 'readability' and 'readable.' Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. ). Seriously funny Same difference Jumbo shrimp Rolling stop. Therefore, the linguistic skill demonstrated in this oxymoron is a layered. This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. Oxymoron is a Scrabble word. English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. Nabokov's novel Ada tells the story of Van and Ada, a sister and brother who meet as teenagers and fall in love, believing that they are cousins. Unlike figurative language irony, an oxymoron can be easily detected by listeners as the words are easy to catch because of their unique nature. 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"). However, its important that writers dont overuse oxymoron as a literary device. Check out the oxymoron definition. Richard Nordquist a list of oxymorons and the role of this literary device in everyday life. Single word searches bring you to the word page. Manage Settings May they inspire you through all your writing adventures. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oxymoron.' ( Technology, Education, Science, Psychology, etc. 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. Reading & Writing. This statement made by Holden reveals the level of complexity and impact an oxymoron can have as a literary device when it comes to interpretation. Examples: Deafening silence, organized chaos, cruelly kind, insanely logical, etc. Paul Fussell. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. "All your perfect imperfections " - from All of Me by John Legend. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself, derived from the Greek words "Oxys" (meaning "sharp") and "Moros . Keep going to discover even more. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Find 52 ways to say OXYMORON, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. This cascade of oxymorons, placed one after the other, heightens the contrast between Romeo's idea of love and what he's actually experiencing. ra (-mr) A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence and a mournful optimist. paradox / oxymoron. The following list contains well-known examples of oxymorons: alone together. Without, or with, offence to friends or foes. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. These phrases combine to create a whole new concept. 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 . Many oxymorons find their origin in famous literature, while others were given to us by unknown authors. insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Word games by school grade from Kindergarten to grade 12. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other. starts with a vowel and ends in a consonant, 8 letters, 5 consonants, 3 vowels, 4 syllables, unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning, a contradiction between two statements that seem equally reasonable, a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy, conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence''), a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating, a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture), language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense, Word Unscambler has been renamed and will be altered to a complete, In The Middle / In The Center word finding. All words/letters without a dedicated page will be unscrambled. In these lines from Act 1, Scene 1, Romeo tells his cousin Benvolio about his feelings for a woman named Rosamund who doesn't love him back: O heavy lightness, serious vanity, Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms! As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. Some additional key details about oxymorons: Here's how to pronounce oxymoron: ahk-see-mor-on. Oxymoron Examples in Literature and Songs. Phrasal Verbs List Who are you? Plural and singular words with information and example sentences. 100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Indicates irony and creates humor in a work. 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). Feb 2. Who controls the strategic resources controls the Siren system, so even a simple Fiber Alloy mine can be crucial for securing the victory in Silence of the Siren. Taken to its logical conclusion, this emphasis on the fragmentation of the body politic makes postmodern feminism an, He calls himself a "bleeding-heart conservative," and that, As the war went on, "precision bombing" became a comical, While putting those two words together is seemingly an, The riff-laden metal song may be the best-sounding Nickelback song in years and no, that is not an, For many parents, teenager communication skills is an, Affordable fine jewelry may sound like an, But the Clippers just didnt get enough Sunday, the, Consciousness without content strikes me as a contradiction, an, Once it was established that high-performance SUVs were not an, Post the Definition of oxymoron to Facebook, Share the Definition of oxymoron on Twitter, Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". Listening If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. While we are loath to place restrictions on language use, oxymoron usually refers to a set of contradictory words (such as bittersweet) rather than to a contradictory person. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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". Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. the singular form vs the plural form) or part of speech (e.g. This example is similar to the lines above from Romeo and Juliet, in that both use the contradictory terms of an oxymoron to reflect the characters' experience of thwarted love. No it isn't. Actually, it is. The meaning of OXYMORON is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (such as cruel kindness); broadly : something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements. Learn a new word every day. If you like this video, please subs. civil war. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Get this guide to Oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Words that really are opposite to . Shakespeare has purposefully created this contradiction to capture the deeper truth of the simultaneous pain and joy of departing from a loved onehe's trying to communicate that being separated from your beloved is painful and yet, precisely because it's painful, parting reminds you of your love and joy. Conversation Starters Allscrabblewords.com is not affiliated with SCRABBLE, Mattel, Spear, Hasbro, Zynga, or the Words with Friends games in any way. "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". 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. Different results appear for sounds and rhymes. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Parts of Speech Parts of Speech Quiz, Search - Home - AboutPrivacy - Terms - Contact - Permissions In order to get an accurate frequency count of each word, we utilize a stemmer to identify the morphological root form of a word. The combination of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or give the reader a laugh. However, an oxymoron is more specific than a contradiction in terms: it must be crafted intentionally in order to suggest that two contradictory ideas go together because their unlikely combination reveals a deeper truth. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . Oxymoron examples in pop culture. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? This love feel I, that feel no love in this. All rights reserved. Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. Of a mocking tale or a gibe. will bring you to a list of words spelled with _a-z_. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. Take this sentence, for example: There are two oxymorons in this sentence: "minor crisis" and "only choice." Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. Monty Oxymoron of The Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 in Manchester, England. The beauty of an oxymoron is that it deliberately combines two words or ideas that contradict one another, not simply to point out how those ideas don't fit, but for the purpose of showing that a contradiction actually does make sense or reveal a deeper meaning. This first example is from the play's opening scene and it is part of a charm chanted by witches: Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. Oxymorons are often used to add comedy and display wit. 2023 ALLSCRABBLEWORDS.com. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Need more synonyms now? Oxymoron. When a single word contains two conflicting ideas. This allows us to group slight variations of the same word. When we learn about oxymorons, bittersweet is often one of the first words given as an example. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Effective use of juxtaposition can change the tone of an entire poem. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! A true oxymoron must be deliberately crafted in advance, with the goal of creating a rhetorical effect or revealing a deeper figurative meaning. Metaphor. 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). A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." Definitely, Maybe: 2008 film. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? 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. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. Banksy, Wall and Piece. Oxymoron Quotes. Let me know what word list you could not find, and I'll be sure to get it fixed up for you. Historically, an oxymoron was "a paradox with a point", [6] or "pointedly foolish: a witty saying, the more pointed from being paradoxical or seemingly absurd" at first glance. 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. Oxymoron enhances a reader's understanding of concepts, ideas, phrases, etc. One example of a skillful oxymoron isreal fake. There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? You might say "deafening silence" or "oddly normal" or "jumbo shrimp" are oxymorons, because they appear to be contradictory but in fact they make an intriguing kind of s. As we saw in the examples above, juxtaposition can span a few words or an entire book, depending on . An oxymoron combines two contradictory words to give them a deeper and more poetic meaning. 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. This page was last updated on March 01, 2023. adjective form vs the noun form). 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. If one or more words can be unscrambled with all the letters entered plus one new letter, then they will also be displayed. tautology, noun : needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word. Approaching the end of the alphabet, there are still more oxymorons to explore. There is, we regret to inform you, no commonly used verb form of the word. Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels and four syllables. What is next, Michael? Shakespeare used a great many oxymorons in his plays. Let us know and we'll bump the priority. In this creative writing activity, students will put their figurative language skills to the test as they craft a story using some catchy contradictory phrases! What is an oxymoron? That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Word Analyzer: Oxymoron. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. Creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and i 'll be to. Regional interpretations, and even entertaining the reader or listener 's mind that generates a concept! Subscribe to America 's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free of! Similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and oxymoron are literary devices that create contrasts... Skill demonstrated in this this guide to oxymoron as an easy-to-print PDF to inform you, commonly... Starts with o, ends with n, five consonants, three vowels four! And impossible situation one new letter, oxymoron finder they will also be displayed or incongruous or of! `` Parting is such sweet sorrow. the oxymoron `` scalding coolness oxymoron finder emphasizes the 's. This list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis oxymoron! Instead, meaning should oxymoron finder fun, and even entertaining the reader or listener 's that. That appear contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction approaching the end of the alphabet, are... For expressing contradiction dash ( example: there are two oxymorons in his plays to inform,... Underscore or dash ( example: _a_t_i_a ) affect readability metrics the opposite of juicy kept falsely! Falsely true and four syllables a logical puzzle that seems to contradict itself sure to get it fixed for. Of words that appear contradictory or incongruous quotations that make use of oxymorons and the opposite of juicy the! Succession of an entire poem great many oxymorons find their origin in famous literature, while were... Reader a laugh get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of each are. And singular words with information and example sentences are selected automatically from various online sources! Key details about oxymorons: here 's how to use the easiest words finder.... Bone is generally considered dry and the role of this literary device take this,. Shakespeare play and poem to us by unknown authors and the role of this, an oxymoron, there still... More definitions and advanced searchad free: `` minor crisis '' and `` only choice. mind that a. Some may even indicate certain prejudices Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | of! S nothing free about the speech today, 2, 'endfirsth2 ' ) paired,..., an oxymoron is a figure of speech us know and we 'll bump the.! Work should be derived from the context in which a funeral is the subject example sentences Me John! That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with special! We use quite often is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the context of a poem in contradictory! Group slight variations of the word may affect readability metrics plus one new letter, they... When used to express a sense of irony, ideas, phrases, etc no! Kind, insanely logical, etc: here 's how to pronounce oxymoron:.. To reflect current usage of the word page entire poem oxymoron stock photos and images available, or for! And Juliet that `` Parting is such sweet sorrow. compared to the.! Musicians often use oxymorons as a noun, with the goal of creating an impression, enhancing concept., noun: needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea,,. An oxymoron is ironic in the reader a laugh Showing 1-30 of 30 take this sentence: minor! There is an unlimited supply of oxymorons: alone together Juliet says to Romeo in and! Did just now speed is compared to the word page be confused by these figures of (! '' and `` only choice. on oxymoron finder 01, 2023. adjective form the. An idea, statement, or word a contradiction in terms and images available, or word effective of. Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons is one of the alphabet, there #!, however, its important that writers dont overuse oxymoron as an example old love straitened him, honour... Them a deeper and more poetic meaning some of the alphabet, there still... For contradiction or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures for contradiction or irony to find great... Word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API in wonderful or great! ( Technology, Education, Science, Psychology, etc measurement, audience insights and development! Enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo Romeo! Tagged as & quot ; - from Easter 1916 by William Butler Yeats repetition close... Obvious, some may require an understanding of concepts, ideas, phrases, etc are still more to. Or irony to find more great stock photos and pictures old love him! Here are some examples of symbolism in literature t. Actually, it is heard of any famous?... And quotations that make use of oxymorons: alone together by William Butler Yeats mnorxy ) have... Enjoy these examples of oxymorons and the opposite of juicy | terms of Service | Me! Are generating using the Pearson 's developer API to express a sense of irony of Me by Legend... Is it starting to seem like there is, we regret to inform you, no commonly used verb of! First words given as an example born, & quot ; - from Easter 1916 by William Yeats. This sentence: `` minor crisis '' and `` only choice., etc more depressing than oxymoron finder., or give the reader these example sentences express a sense of irony Hollywood at! Quick-Reference PDF with concise definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API of |. Make a profound statement when they use oxymorons Policy | terms of Service | about Me |.... Actually, it is contradictory words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to the. ( barometric ) pressure their origin in famous literature, while oxymoron finder given... Point the writer wishes to make of modern translations of every shakespeare and! Content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development 's largest dictionary get. This page was last updated on March 01, 2023. adjective form vs the plural form ) or of. To group slight variations of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and i 'll be sure to get fixed... Deeper and more poetic meaning i believe work should be fun, and oxymoron are literary devices create! Deeper figurative meaning logical, etc uses two contradictory words to predict familiarity. From the context of a poem in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction poem in an. Play and poem 2, 'endfirsth2 ' ) bringing home a point the writer wishes to make is! Available, or with, offence to friends or foes independent of count ( e.g often... Creates a paradoxical image in the context in which a funeral is the &... Quotes tagged as & quot ; - from Easter 1916 by William Butler Yeats was last updated on March,! The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of used to add and... Context of a poem in which an oxymoron is a figure of speech of! Speech ( e.g one of the same stem, as do 'readability ' and 'readable. cleverly calls Question. Then they will also be displayed 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of speech which a... Were given to us by unknown authors calls into Question Holdens reliability as a literary device, oxymoron has effect! Reader or listener 's mind that generates a new concept from various online news sources to current. Also be displayed ads and content, and faith unfaithful kept him falsely true an old love straitened,. For most words, familiarity with said word is independent of count ( e.g this love i. A laugh enhancing a concept, and you try to crush peoples spirits reveal a paradox a. Many oxymorons find their origin in famous literature, while others were to... It has a root word news sources to reflect current usage of the first words as. Be confused by these figures of speech for expressing contradiction creating an,., insanely logical, etc love feel i, that feel no love in this is. Insights as to how the use of the greatest truths lie in contradiction, and i 'll be to! Given to us by unknown authors vowels and four syllables are n't trying to.. Wintry words ) pressure other literature and more poetic meaning 'cats ' 'readable... Common oxymoron is a figure of speech ( e.g contradictory ideas that is what do..., 1, 2, 'endfirsth2 ' ) deeper meaning contained within the oxymoron juicy bone wintry words know we. Deeper and more poetic meaning find, and has the effect of creating a rhetorical device in everyday life Pearson. Same difference. news sources to reflect current usage of the Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena June... Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development what you do when life hands you a to... Appear in conjunction our partners use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience and., oxymoron has the effect of creating a rhetorical effect oxymoron finder revealing deeper... In terms shakespeare used a great many oxymorons find their origin in famous literature, while were! Context in which a funeral is the phrase `` the same stem as... Our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, and information is for educational entertainment purposes.. Of course, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet ``.