Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
oxymora
Noun
/ɒkˈsɪmɒrə/
Definition
The plural form of oxymoron, referring to a figure of speech in which contradictory terms are combined to create a new meaning.
Examples
- “Deafening silence” is an example of an oxymoron that illustrates a profound absence of sound.
- Another example of oxymora is “bittersweet” which describes an experience that has both positive and negative feelings.
- “Living dead” is also an oxymoron that evokes a sense of life’s paradoxes.
Meaning
Oxymora are typically used to convey complex ideas or to provoke thought by juxtaposing opposing concepts.
Synonyms
- Contradictory terms
- Paradox
- Contradiction
