Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
merism
noun
/ˈmɛrɪzəm/
Definition
A figure of speech that utilizes a list of contrasting or complementary parts to describe a whole.
Examples
- “He made a choice between life and death, joy and sorrow; this is an example of merism.”
- “The phrase ‘lions and tigers’ in literature can be considered a merism to represent all kinds of wild animals.”
Meaning
Merism describes something in totality by mentioning some of its constituent parts, often in a way that emphasizes contrasts or complements.
Synonyms
- synecdoche
- antithesis
- contrasting description
