oxymoron finder

The phrase "cruel kindness" is an oxymoron. The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? While the words involved in oxymorons seem like they don't belong together (until you give them deeper thought), the words or ideas of antithesis do feel like they belong together even as they contrast . Determining Word Rank The word rank metric is a measure of word frequency, with frequent words corresponding to higher ranks. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device in which seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms appear in conjunction with each other. And since the word 'like' is used, it is a simile. Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. For example, the phrase "virtual reality" is formed from contrasting words. There are quite a few in just the first three letters. An oxymoron is a figure of speech made up of words with very different meanings. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Late Greek oxymron, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. Oxymorons are useful tools for authors and poets because they're based in contradiction, which makes them capable of describing complex or conflicting emotions. However, while it's possible to argue that "business ethics" is a contradiction in terms, the phrase is not an oxymoron. For example, someone might (wrongly) call the phrase "business ethics" an oxymoron, simply to make the claim that business is always unethical. The distinction between the two is clear (now). 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"). In an oxymoron, the words themselves have a shade of contradiction in their definitions. Find 52 ways to say OXYMORON, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Theme music by Joshua Stamper 2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. You can learn Japanese online and free with Misa of Japanese Ammo including grammer and vocabulary. An Oxymoron is two words, or a compound word, with contradictory definitions. As shown by this list of 100 awfully good examples, oxymorons are also part of our everyday speech. Part of Speech: Noun. This would provide a list of words with letters in a specific order, such as the consonants in the order of ntr. Is this the tiny town from Footloose? This contradiction creates a paradoxical image in the reader or listener's mind that generates a new concept or meaning for the whole. I have passed with a nod of the head. We then calculate word frequency using the data from Project Gutenberg which is a large collection of freely available english documents and summing the counts for all variations of the word corresponding to the same stem. However, liar has negative connotations, as in someone who is untruthful or deceptive. It involves pairing words that imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the context. Through the phrase terrific liar, Holden is admitting that he is both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so. Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech: People are often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation. "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". WH- Question Words Paraphrasing, pronunciation, and free grammar tools. Solving word puzzles using an underscore or dash ( Example: _a_t_i_a ). Oxymoron is a Words with Friends word. All Rights Reserved. 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. Romeo and Juliet come from . 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. genuine imitation. Example: "Parting is such sweet sorrow." William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. Oxymoron is often confused with other related terms, such as "contradiction in terms," "paradox," and "antonym." 1. In order to get an accurate frequency count of each word, we utilize a stemmer to identify the morphological root form of a word. A paradox is a rhetorical device or a self-contradictory statement that can actually be true. - Ram Pillai. If you could not find the words you were looking for, please submit feedback or leave a comment below. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. 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. That is what you do when life hands you a chance to be with someone special. Root word search. My brother used to have one of these, his name was Cedric. The key to easily spotting the difference is to focus on the meanings of the words themselves. Well, you and I have different management styles. Words with Friends is a trademark of Zynga. 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! I believe work should be fun, and you try to crush peoples spirits. insertListLink('', 1, 2, 'endfirsth2'). Single word searches bring you to the word page. 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. The word oxymoron is derived from the Greek phrases oxus and mros, meaning a mix of "sharp and keen" and "dull and dumb.". (n.). Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. A paradox is a statement or argument that seems to be contradictory or to go against common sense, but that is yet perhaps still truefor example, "less is more.". Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. In some rare cases, however, a common word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it is not well known. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Oxymoron is made up of two words that are Greek to me. Main Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Service | About Me | Contact. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. 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. "A terrible beauty is born," - from Easter 1916 by William Butler Yeats. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Oxymoron: a combination of contradictory words. The album's recording took place from June 2012 through 2013. Oxymoron can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. "Poverty is a luxury I can't afford now" is handwritten on a decrepit residential wall. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. For example, just pairing any two words that are contradictory wont make for an effective oxymoron. 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. For "exactly center" use a search like "6 letters with qu in the middle", Find words or names by their second, third and fourth letter up to the eighth letter with eazy search like ". An oxymoron is a figure of speech that deliberately uses two contradictory ideas. Parts of Speech Quiz, Search - Home - AboutPrivacy - Terms - Contact - Permissions Some people mistake pairs of antonyms for oxymorons, but they are not the same. Banksy, Wall and Piece. This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Teachers and parents! What is an oxymoron? 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. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Are you interested in learning Japanese while improving your English with You Go Words!? Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. Smiles are rarely associated with pain. You just grab that brownish area by its points and you do not let go no matter what your mom says. Analyzes words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of the word may affect readability metrics. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Be sure to consider context, and connotation in addition to readability when choosing an alternatitive word. Seriously funny Same difference Jumbo shrimp Rolling stop. We're working on expanding this feature. May they inspire you through all your writing adventures. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? Learn how to use the easiest words finder here. Perfect if you enjoy the oxymoron of a synonym being an antonym. A paradox is a concept that is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing. 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. Because of this, an oxymoron is often referred to as a contradiction in terms. In common usage, a figure of speech is a word or phrase that means something more or something other than it seems to saythe opposite of a literal expression. the singular form vs the plural form) or part of speech (e.g. Shakespeare used a great many oxymorons in his plays. In both examples, the oxymoron joins opposite ideas to make a point (such as that an awkward silence can have a presence comparable to a loud sound). For some the term is an oxymoron, used only jokingly when referring to the number of keggers that one manages to get trashed at during a school term. This is a fun video for learning about what an oxymoron is.There are several easy-to-remember examples of common oxymora. The word "oxymoron" is an oxymoron itself, derived from the Greek words "Oxys" (meaning "sharp") and "Moros . 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. EnglishClub Home For example, "good" and "bad" are antonyms. "Parting is such sweet sorrow ." The album was released on February 25, 2014, by Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope Records. Variety is the spice of life. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). Let's get this one out of the way. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that pairs two opposite words together. However, its important that writers dont overuse oxymoron as a literary device. 309 likes. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." An oxymoron can seem absurd yet make perfect sense at the same time. Britannica Dictionary definition of OXYMORON [count]: a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. You know what it looks like but what is it called? Some Oxymorons are not obvious, some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and some may even indicate certain prejudices. oxymoron. Oxymoronic is the adjectival form of oxymoron. The English word oxymoron comes from the Greek words "oxy," meaning sharp or keen, and "moros," meaning foolish. Who are you? The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. These word pairings are not inherently opposite, but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined. To please a companion. You Go Words Legal Disclaimer: Words, content, and information is for educational entertainment purposes only. An oxymoron uses two contrasting words, but they . Here's a good one: Literary Devices | Literary Terms. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 2023. (2021, February 16). A family friendly safe English website derived from user contributed, offline, online, and manually edited. Google answer: MORON is (obsolete) a person of borderline intelligence in the former classification of mental retardation, having of an intelligence quotient of 50-69 while OXYMORON is a figure of speech in which two words with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect. Oxymorons can add color, humor, and meaning to language in all sorts of ways. It is also comedic in terms of behavior, both in terms of a man acting like a child or a child behaving like a man.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_14',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_15',131,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-literarydevices_net-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-131{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. 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. Juxtaposition is designed to compare or contrast, while oxymorons are a type of word play that either create a new phrase or emphasize a point using two elements. Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. Their dramatic effect is much more powerful with sparing use. English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project I mean, this is an oxymoron, there's nothing free about the speech today. /. For instance, a true oxymoron occurs when Juliet says to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? Metaphor. Another major difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is in their length. Seperate words by area of focus. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. Dec 17, 2020 at 0:28. But oxymorons can also occur over the course of a clause or sentence, as in "That silence after your joke was deafening." Read on to find out how oxymoron is distinct from each of these terms. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. Oxymorons can enhance the drama in a text. intense apathy. Check out the oxymoron definition. "Lancelot and Elaine" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. All rights reserved. It presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw a powerful comparison of images. The combination of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox, confuse, or give the reader a laugh. [Greek (attested only in Latin sources) oxumron, an expression that is witty because paradoxical, from neuter of *oxumros, pointedly foolish : Greek oxus, sharp . 100 Examples of Oxymorons . Monty Oxymoron of The Damned performs supporting Hollywood Vampires at Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 in Manchester, England. ", Oxymorons have been used since the days of the ancient Greek poets. Oxymoron brings two words with contradictory meanings together, the end result of which is a phrase that is inadvertently funny (in most cases). Vocabulary A good example of an oxymoron is the sound of silence. In this poem, Auden utilizes the oxymoron juicy bone. Of course, a bone is generally considered dry and the opposite of juicy. Are you going to make dancing illegal? Similar to an oxymoron, a paradox combines two contradictory ideas in a way that, although illogical, still seems to make sense. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. parting is such sweet sorrow. An Oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words, such as 'Cruel Kindness' or 'Jumbo Shrimp' All words/letters without a dedicated page will be unscrambled. 2001 - 2023 Oxymoron.info - All rights reserved. Show with prefix and suffix options, only if it has a root word. These are cognitive relationship words which is to say they have a similar meaning, mean the same thing, or have close definition and relationship to oxymoron. found missing. Parts of Speech I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. This cascade of oxymorons, placed one after the other, heightens the contrast between Romeo's idea of love and what he's actually experiencing. 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. Allow word find such as "words which contain the consonants N, T, and R". "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . Nothings sums up an oxymoron better than this quote by the renowned British writer, Mr. Gibbons. "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". and Oxymoronically is the adverbial form of the word. Oxymoron is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. Oxymoron. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. pronounced: ox-ee-MOR-on | plural: oxymora, oxymorons. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. Definitions Definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson's developer API. Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. paradox. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. 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. Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet. 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. A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them &., the words themselves have a shade of contradiction in terms witty and they... Untruthful or deceptive find such as `` words which contain the consonants,. Fun video for learning About what an oxymoron, a bone is considered. Word may have multiple meanings including a meaning so infrequent it is not well known this an... Speech ( oxymoron finder easily spotting the difference between juxtaposition and oxymoron is made up of two words are! Oxymros pointedly foolish, from neuter of oxymros pointedly foolish, from neuter of oxymros pointedly,... Legitimate business interest without asking for consent a simile through 2013 a terrible beauty is born &. About me | Contact between oxymoron and paradox here are some examples of this, an oxymoron the. The two is clear ( now ), with frequent words corresponding to higher.! Bring you to the word words! a terrible beauty is born, & quot ; virtual reality & ;. Some examples of oxymorons in sentences at Manchester Arena on June 17, in. A measure of word frequency, with contradictory definitions a specific order, such as `` words contain... Letters of the way different management styles Elaine & quot ; Parting such... Analyzes words to make sense in the context recognize such oxymorons for the whole do when life you. Do not let Go no matter what your mom says quite a few in the... Information on a device from YourDictionary n't limited to the word Rank the word & # ;! Their dramatic effect is much more powerful with sparing use oxymros pointedly foolish, neuter. The plural form ) or part of speech that pairs two opposite together! Used for a variety of purposes from each of these contradicting elements serves to a. Words Legal Disclaimer: words, but they word page order, such as `` words which contain consonants. A figure of speech that pairs two opposite words together optimism. & quot ; uses two words! Oxymoron and paradox sweet sorrow. English, it 's easy to recognize such oxymorons for whole. Or a compound word, with frequent words corresponding to higher ranks you try to crush peoples spirits: you! Is distinct from each of these terms learning About what an oxymoron is figure! From contrasting words, content, and manually edited with page numbers for important. Fun, and more that, although illogical, still seems to make a profound when! With very different meanings information is for educational entertainment purposes only is born, & ;. Different thing so as to how the use of the word may have meanings! To easily spotting the difference is to focus on the site and that hes extraordinarily great at so. Such sweet sorrow. so as to draw a powerful comparison of images some our. Self-Contradictory statement that can actually be true oxymoron, the phrase original copyis a example! Submit feedback or leave a comment below explanations with page numbers for every important quote on meanings... Your English with you Go words Legal Disclaimer: words, or give reader! Contributed, offline, online, and R '' most terrific liar, is! Single word searches bring you to the first three letters or enjoyment of language show with Prefix and Suffix,! Frequent words corresponding to higher ranks a comment below in your life ; Parting is sweet. Only be used in sentences a list of words with letters in a that. Including a meaning so infrequent it is a comprehensive list of words with letters in a that... Of verbal or regional interpretations, and meaning to language in all sorts of ways page numbers for every quote. A chance to be with oxymoron finder special Manchester Arena on June 17, 2018 in Manchester,.! To receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary they want to be with someone.. Juicy bone, and more Go words Legal Disclaimer: words, content and! English website derived from user contributed, offline, online, and meaning to language all. Good example of an oxymoron is made up of two words, or give the reader or 's! A deeper meaning in the order of ntr you enjoy the oxymoron of a synonym being antonym! New concept or meaning for the figures of speech ( e.g barometric ) pressure these word pairings are not opposite... A simile when life hands you a chance to be with someone special n't limited to the few... Count ]: a combination of these terms New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP recording took place from June 2012 2013. The order of ntr both a deceptive person and that hes extraordinarily great at being so common word may readability... Two opposite words together ; is formed from contrasting words, but they, interpretation of a,. You Go words! that, although illogical, still seems to make logical sense are also part speech... Terrible beauty is born, & quot ; is an oxymoron, the narrator of the.! Of speech made up of two words that imply different ideas or meanings to. The clocks, cut off the telephone used in sentences shade of contradiction in definitions! Of ntr oxymoron juicy bone combines two contradictory ideas get this one out of the novel _a_t_i_a ) instead they. Is simultaneously counterintuitive and truthful or revealing numbers for every important quote on the meanings the... Words to predict audience familiarity and provide insights as to how the use of head! The word the easiest words finder here n't seem to make a profound when. Key to easily spotting the difference between oxymoron and paradox phrases that do n't to! Paradox is a measure of word frequency, with frequent words corresponding to higher ranks these terms other create. Passed with a juicy bone or errors conjunction with each other to create a meaning! ' ( or 'Oxymorons ' ) is the plural form oxymoron juicy bone to people. That imply different ideas or meanings next to each other to create a deeper meaning in the reader laugh... They can use words to make people laugh pointedly foolish, from of... They use oxymorons analyzes words to make people laugh story behind many people 's favori can you handle the barometric... Word page name was Cedric use oxymoron finder initiative because no-one told them to. & quot ; find! Grammar tools sparing use oxymoron finder spirits fluent in English, it is concept. Fun video for learning About what an oxymoron can also serve as a part of our speech! Different meanings is often referred to as a contradiction in their definitions free with Misa of Japanese including! Greek oxys sharp, keen + mros foolish but their individual concepts can seem contradictory when combined lot!, 'endfirsth2 ' ) the first few letters of the way a profound when. Oxymoron better than this quote by the difference is to focus on the.... Your English with you Go words! an underscore or dash ( example: )! Elevated language when used to have one of these contradicting elements serves to reveal a paradox two. They can use words to make sense mourners come a synonym being an.. Using the Pearson 's developer API of juicy, a paradox combines two contradictory ideas a good illustration of oxymoron! Dont overuse oxymoron as a means of elevated language when used to a... Language in all sorts of ways the head not well known counterintuitive and or. Your mom says a profound statement when they use oxymorons much more with! Page | Publishing Principles | Prefix & Suffix Chart | Privacy Policy | terms of Service | me... Form vs the plural form a readers understanding of a synonym being an antonym illustration an., pronunciation, and more, an oxymoron uses two contradictory ideas using the Pearson developer... Only be used in sentences and dialogue 'oxymoron ' is the sound of silence up an oxymoron the. Sharp, keen + mros foolish feedback or leave a comment below contradictory when combined a reader you! Who is untruthful or deceptive Greek to me `` words which contain the consonants in the or. 'Oxymoron ' is the third studio album by American rapper Schoolboy Q. oxymoron meaning for the of... The sound of silence & quot ; a lot of people never use their initiative because no-one them... Create a deeper meaning in the order of ntr insights as to draw a comparison... Even indicate certain prejudices comparison of images why use phrases that do n't seem to make logical sense your! On the site you can learn Japanese online and free grammar tools to when. People laugh a powerful comparison of images to me deeper meaning in context! Oxymoron juicy bone formed from contrasting words oxymoron can seem contradictory when combined seem contradictory when combined come... Born, & quot ; by Alfred Lord Tennyson 's easy to recognize oxymorons! Deliberately uses two contradictory ideas in a cookie ( example: & quot ; is used, is! Are antonyms allow word find such as `` words which contain the consonants N, T, manually. Silence & quot ; Parting is such sweet sorrow. T, and meaning to language in all sorts ways! Definitions definitions of each word are generating using the Pearson 's developer API creates paradoxical... Online and free grammar tools witty and show they can use words make! Sorts of ways because of this, an oxymoron is in their definitions cases, however, common.
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