What does "oxymoron" mean?
A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.
Oxymoron
/ˌɑksiˈmɔɹɑn/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.
- Grammar: oxymoron is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: absurdity, ambiguity, ambivalence, antinomy.
- Useful contrasts: coherent expression, literal phrase, pleonasm.
- Usage evidence: The phrase 'honest politician' is an oxymoron.
How to use "oxymoron"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "oxymoron" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "oxymoron" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A figure of speech in which two words or phrases with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect. rhetoric
"In Oxymoron jarring phrases join And terms opposed in harmony combine."
- 2 conjoining contradictory terms (as in ‘deafening silence’) wordnet
- 3 A contradiction in terms. broadly, proscribed, sometimes
"During the past few years, some 200 class-action suits have been filed against food manufacturers, charging them with misuse of the adjective in marketing such edible oxymorons as “natural” Cheetos Puffs, “all-natural” Sun Chips, “all-natural” Naked Juice, “100 percent all-natural” Tyson chicken nuggets and so forth."
Antonyms
Example
"The phrase 'honest politician' is an oxymoron."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "oxymoron"?
Common synonyms include: absurdity, ambiguity, ambivalence, antinomy, antithesis, asymmetry.
How do you use "oxymoron" in a sentence?
The phrase 'honest politician' is an oxymoron.
How do you pronounce "oxymoron"?
Pronounced /ˌɑksiˈmɔɹɑn/.
Etymology
First attested in the 17th century, noun use of 5th century Latin oxymōrum (adjective), neut. nom. form of oxymōrus (adjective), from Ancient Greek ὀξύμωρος (oxúmōros), compound of ὀξύς (oxús, “sharp, keen, pointed”) (English oxy-, as in oxygen) + μωρός (mōrós, “dull, stupid, foolish”) (English moron (“stupid person”)). Literally "sharp-dull", "keen-stupid", or "pointed-foolish" – itself an oxymoron, hence autological; compare sophomore (literally “wise fool”), influenced by similar analysis. The compound form ὀξύμωρον (oxúmōron) is not found in the extant Ancient Greek sources.