(One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein “combining things that contrast” is an ongoing theme.) Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: Oxymoron examples from literatureĪs rhetorical devices, oxymorons have been used in many different mediums from political speeches to novels to stage plays. This presents the word silence in a unique way that’s particularly expressive. But pairing it with deafening gives silence a very distinct meaning, comparing it to a loud noise that draws extra attention. On its own silence is fairly neutral-it can be calm or tense, depending on the context. Ĭonsider the oxymoron example deafening silence. That makes oxymorons a serious option in word choice. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. “I distinctly remember forgetting that.” -Clara Barton Present words in a new way “I am a deeply superficial person.” -Andy Warhol The inherent setup of contradictory words works great for jokes and other witty statements. Oxymorons present an ideal opportunity to be clever or funny. They also occasionally work well with figurative language to compound the power behind certain words. Oxymorons tend to have deeper meanings and be more memorable than noncontradictory words, so they work great at key points in your writing for boosting reader engagement. The reader must momentarily pause to comprehend and process the meaning-in other words, oxymorons make the reader think. More than a few have even become commonplace expressions in modern-day English, such as these oxymoron examples:Īs with other literary devices like metaphor, onomatopoeia, and hyperbole, oxymorons have a few different purposes in writing, all of which are quite useful in the right situation: Dramatic effectĪs a contradiction of terms, an oxymoron both stands out and also elicits critical thinking. The word oxymoron is an ancient Greek word, which translates most closely to something like “sharply dull” or “cleverly stupid.” In other words, the oxymoron definition is itself an oxymoron. Like a paradox, an oxymoron is what’s known as a “contradiction in terms,” although oxymorons and paradoxes are two different things, as explained below. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly What is an oxymoron?Īn oxymoron is a literary device that juxtaposes contradictory terms.
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