Oxymoron

Definition

A figure of speech combining two contradictory or opposite words or ideas to create emphasis, irony, or wit—such as 'jumbo shrimp,' 'deafening silence,' or 'act naturally.' The term itself is an oxymoron, derived from Greek words meaning 'sharp' and 'dull.'

Example Usage

The phrase 'cruel kindness' is an oxymoron that captures the complexity of tough love.

Origin

From Greek oxys (sharp) and moros (dull), literally meaning 'sharp-dull' or 'pointedly foolish.'

Fun Fact

Oxymorons are a favorite device in poetry and advertising—'a little bit pregnant' has become iconic shorthand for logical impossibility.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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