Which phrase is an example of an oxymoron?

One oxymoron example is “deafening silence,” which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loud—just as an actual sound would. Oxymorons are often used in everyday conversation and in a breadth of writing, such as literature, poetry, and songwriting.

Is an oxymoron a rhetorical device?

An oxymoron can be used as a rhetorical device to illustrate a rhetorical point or to reveal a paradox. A more general meaning of “contradiction in terms” (not necessarily for rhetoric effect) is recorded by the OED for 1902. The word oxymoron is autological, i.e. it is itself an example of an oxymoron.

Are oxymorons grammatically incorrect?

An oxymoron is a phrase that, in grammatical terms, renders itself impossible. In this way, it’s impossible (in grammatical terms) for anything to be your ‘only choice’, since the two words are mutually exclusive – it’s oxymoronic. While grammatically objectionable, oxymorons are both useful and common.

How is oxymoron an oxymoron?

oxymoron Add to list Share. Oxymoron is sometimes used to describe a word combination that strikes the listener as humorously contradictory, even if the speaker didn’t intend it that way. The word oxymoron is itself an oxymoron; in Greek, oxy- means “sharp” or “wise,” while moros means “foolish.”

Which is an example of a paradox?

An example of a paradox is “Waking is dreaming”. A paradox is a figure of speech in which a statement appears to contradict itself. This type of statement can be described as paradoxical. A compressed paradox comprised of just a few words is called an oxymoron.

How do you use paradox?

Paradox in a Sentence 🔉

1. In a strange paradox, the medicine made Heather sick before it made her better.
2. The idea of being cruel to be kind is a paradox because cruelty is not normally associated with kindness.
3. By definition a paradox is two contrasting situations put together to create a provoking idea.

What is a paradox person?

1 : a statement that seems to say opposite things and yet is perhaps true. 2 : a person or thing having qualities that seem to be opposite. paradox. noun. par·​a·​dox | \ ˈpar-ə-ˌdäks \

What is the difference between paradox and oxymoron?

An oxymoron is the conjunction of two words with meanings that contradict each other. While a paradox is the opposition of ideas or themes, an oxymoron is a contradiction merely between words. An example of oxymoron in literature can be found in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.