Oxymoron is a figure of speech pairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. parting is such sweet sorrow. They can be used for emphasis, dramatic effect, or to highlight irony. They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. Adjectives that Start with S: List of 500+ Words to Describe Someone, The Best Places to Find Free Grammar Help Online. Well also provide you with an extensive list of oxymoronsso you can get a better feel for what oxymorons look and sound like. As with other rhetorical devices, oxymorons are used for a variety of purposes. As the example's author, Richard Watson Todd, said, "The true beauty of oxymorons is that, unless we sit back and really think, we happily accept them as normalEnglish. Paradox vs. Oxymoron: What's The Difference? - Dictionary Life is like a river: It's easier and more beneficial to go with the natural flow rather than fight against it. Your writing, at its best An example of a paradox in literature is from George Orwell's Animal Farm. An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. Ask questions; get answers. Oxymorons aren't just for classic literature. Grace Slick We both view the friendship as one that makes each others lives better, therefore its always worth the time and energy. But she is and she has a beautiful aesthetic and she has guided me. Fun Fact: Oxymoron comes from the Greek word okss (meaning keen) and mros (meaning stupid). To be loyal to King Arthur, his friend, he must betray his love Guinevere, or vice versa. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. Combined, the two words add a third dimension to the meaning of friendship: there is delight in the torment. The other two oxymorons emphasize the fact that no matter what happensfor example,no matter how sad or defeated the speaker might feelthere willalways be a silver lining in that he'swith the love of his life. But if the statement is true, then it cant be false, despite the fact it claims to be! Love and Friendship When Freak. Emerson writes that a friend should be a beautiful enemy. The first word demonstrates something attractive, while the latter references someone who is an adversary. Usually, oxymorons are made up of just two words, but paradoxes are complete sentences, sometimes entire paragraphs. In Greek, oxys means sharp or keen, and moros means foolish or dull. What Are Some Examples of Oxymorons in Literature? Before meeting Kevin, Max never would have written anything voluntarily. An oxymoron is usually just two words (sometimes one, as in bittersweet), but a paradox is an entire statement, usually a standalone sentence or even a fullparagraph. Go beyond words when generative AI comes to Grammarly, Grammarly helps you communicate confidently. A man may have authority over others, but he can never have their hearts but by giving his own. While an oxymoron is the combination of two contradictory/opposite words in a single sentence, a paradox is an entire phrase/sentence that appears contradictory but, upon further investigation, could be true or plausible. | Dear reader, parting is such sweet sorrow, but hopefully now you understand how oxymorons take opposing words and turn them into new figures of speech. Sprinkle in a few to evoke a laugh, a sense of wonder, drama, playfulness, and more. Real fake is a combination of contradictory terms. Youll learn how to create lifelong fans who hang on your every word so you never have to break through the noise again. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. Approaching the end of the alphabet, there are still more oxymorons to explore. Use the above examples where they fit or as models for creating your own unique oxymorons. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." ), so this article . There are plenty of other oxymoron examples in pop culture. Nordquist, Richard. Not asking you to place the friendship before your principles. In this sense, theuprising was simultaneously terrible (in that it led to death) and beautiful (in its romantic aspirations for independence). | Privacy | Terms of Service, Endpaper from Journeys Through Bookland, Charles Sylvester, 1922, ""crush the sweet poison of misused wine"". Or if you would prefer to get your master's degree, you'll be a graduate student. Together, oxymoros meant "pointedly foolish". Oxymorons also feature in modern comedy and politics. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? They are a versatile tool that sets your work apart from your competition and makes it more enjoyable and memorable by: Thats over five dozen oxymoron examples in several different formats to inspire fresh ways to hook your readers and keep their interest. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device that uses two opposite or contradictory terms one after the other in order to project an effect. First, they make life more enjoyable. Maybe you've told a joke only to get deafening silence in response. "Deafening silence" indicates a quiet situation that is uncomfortably noticeable or disturbing. If we put them together, we get the very strange concept: sharply dull. From William Shakespeare to Fall Out Boy, you can see just how versatile oxymoron is as a literary device. But pairing it with deafening gives silence a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. Oxymorons are not meant to be taken literally. If we prioritize choosing good people who we can trust will work through issues with us, then we can work through anything. This oxymoron means unlimited free drinks, but, by definition, a bar keeps something closed offthe opposite of open. Today, we are taking a deep dive into the definition of this literary device. My parents divorced when I was born, and my mother is a political science professor, like a feminist Mormon, which is sort of an oxymoron. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. If you enjoy seafood, you might have tried jumbo shrimp. "Parting is such sweet sorrow." The book and HBO hit series Big Little Lies has an oxymoron right in its title. The defining characteristic of an oxymoron is combining words or phrases that have opposite meanings. Friendship smiled and said, 'To put a smile where you leave tears.'. 12 Mood Examples From Literature (+ Definition & Writing Tips), Best Email Marketing Software: 7+ Noise-Busting Reviews (2023), 7+ Best Webinar Software Platforms to Ace Your Meetings (2023), Terrible beauty (William Butler Yeats, 1916). By extension, oxymorons deal with the contrast between the meanings of words, but paradoxes focus on the contrast between complete ideas. I personally think intellectual property is an oxymoron. But many of us live with toxic friends, whether we realize or not, and find ourselves simply unable to get out of the relationship. The reader must momentarily pause to comprehend and process the meaningin other words, oxymorons make the reader think. For example, if a character receives apainful smile,this creates a significant dramatic effect. There still seems to be an extra factor, an attraction similar to that which draws people together romantically, that cements friends together irrevocably, often immediately, for no reason either person can identify. However, if you think too hard about the meaning, you'll realize that on the surface it doesn't quite make sense. Awfully good, bittersweet, same difference, and original copy are a few oxymoron examples. One of my favorite quotations comes from Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? 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 . The word friend is almost used on a daily basis. An oxymoron is a type of juxtaposition, just shorter and focused on two contradictory concepts. Individuals who nag others tend to do so in relationships where there is close proximity. Oxymorons are one of the seasonings in great writing. A paradox is a statement that technically contradicts itself but remains true nonetheless. As a literary device, it is used to make certain word combinations more thought-provoking to stand out.