examples of oxymoron

SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Writing Oxymoron. This stanza, from Lord Tennyson’s retelling of the tale of King Arthur, uses several oxymorons for poetic effect and as a way to emphasize the conundrum that Lancelot, Arthur’s most loyal knight and friend, finds himself in. Betty and Veronica share a love-haterelationship with each another. Comfortable misery. Rhetorical oxymora (e.g., “ bipartisan cooperation ” or “ business ethics “), on the other hand, are expressions composed of words that are not inherently mutually exclusive but express an opinion that the two cannot occur together, usually for satirical intent. — Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Lancelot and Elaine" in Idylls of the King. One of the most famous examples of a paradox is the sentence, "This statement is false." 7: 14), kept the seventh-day Sabbath and Feasts of Leviticus 23. Some Oxymorons are not obvious, some may require an understanding of verbal or regional interpretations, and some may even indicate certain prejudices. Define oxymoron: the definition of oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses contradictory terms. When someone says a phrase such as "naturally weird" or "clearly confused," the speaker is finding a new way to describe that individual or object. About this list: I may have taken some liberties with a few of these. - Winston Churchill, "I like humanity, but I loathe persons." Below, we provide you with an extensive list of oxymorons. We agreed to disagreeon certain things as soon as we said our wedding vows. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. For example: Billy hushed the other students and told them to act naturally before the teacher walked in. Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. —up next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. Easy Examples of Oxymorons. It's often referred to as a contradiction in terms. As well as playing with oxymorons, Oscar Wilde was also a master of symbolism. These terms express a particular sentiment that is best communicated through opposites. Learn more. With that being said, here are some clever oxymoron examples in the form of sentences: 1. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? The figure of speech known as an “oxymoron” refers to a pair of terms that contradict each other, but are used together to create a specific and special effect. Seeing these oxymorons used in context may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. Oxymorons are often used in everyday conversation and in a breadth of writing, such as literature, poetry, and songwriting. There is a real love hate relationship developing between the two of them. For example, someone might describe his or her office as an “organized mess.” A Huge List of Oxymorons to Help You Understand the Concept. i. The phrase jumbo shrimp is a great example of an oxymoron. oxymoron meaning: 1. two words used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings 2. two words used together…. Preparing to take the AP Literature test? 3. Learn oxymoron example with free interactive flashcards. An oxymoron is a paradoxical phrase or pair of words that contradicts itself. Article Sources. Feel free to comment with more and I will add them to the list. When we think of oxymorons, we often think of two-word phrases with seemingly opposite components, like "alone together" or "sweet sorrow. Well, there are a few good reasons why, starting with dramatic effect. Advertisement. May they inspire you through all your writing adventures. Let's see if any of these examples of oxymorons hit home for you: There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. Why use phrases that don't seem to make logical sense? 5. dark day. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Act naturally Ask questions; get answers. For more oxymoron quotes, take a look at Examples of Funny Oxymoron Quotes. - Bing Crosby, "No one goes to that restaurant anymore. Civil war. As an example, I offer "less is more", which appears to satisfy every definition of oxymoron, but has been observed to be short-lived, making it currently UNtrue. Sometimes people aren't trying to make a profound statement when they use oxymorons. Why don't you try writing a poem using an oxymoron and enter it … Oxymorons are considered to be statements that contradict themselves. The term "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron as it derives from the Greek "oxus" (sharp) and "moros" (stupid). The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with contrasting meanings, such as “cruel kindness,” or “living death”. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. The oxymoron as a literary tool and figure of speech work effectively here. Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory or inappropriate terms are either put together or appear side by side. Seriously Funny Oxymoron Examples. In fact, the word 'oxymoron' is an oxymoron in itself--oxy is Greek for 'sharp' and moron is Greek for 'dull.' If you are looking for something seriously funny that will serve as a simply brilliant example of an oxymoron, the following article provides you with a compiled oxymoron list. Generally, the ideas will come as two separate words placed side by side. The violent display ultimately led to thousands of deaths and injuries. An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other. In this sense, the uprising was simultaneously terrible (in that it led to death) and beautiful (in its romantic aspirations for independence). This phrase qualifies as an oxymoron because the words "same" and "difference" have opposite meanings. Clearly confused. - Alfred Tennyson, "Modern dancing is so old fashioned." Advertisement. Act naturally. An oxymoron (AHX-ee-MORE-ahn), from the Greek for “pointedly foolish” or “dully sharp,” is a contradiction in terms.It seems illogical on its face, as the basic construction is word + antonymic (the opposite of that word) modifier; for example, minor crisis, as the former means “little or insignificant” while the latter can mean “emergency.” - Oscar Wilde, "And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true." For Yahweh’s people to keep Old Testament Feasts in the New Testament is for many a huge contradiction — an oxymoron. I sa… Funny Examples of Oxymorons (Oxymora) Facebook Twitter Google+. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! The most common type of oxymoron is an adjective followed by a noun. Broadway doesn't have the nerve to let the really hard stuff in the house. “Those days are Jewish and are not for us,” they say. All rights reserved. - Andy Warhol, "We're busy doing nothing." In this case, act naturally is an oxymoron that combines two contradictory words. Oxymorons are figures of speech using two or more words that directly contradict each other. However, the contrasting words/phrases are not always glued together. A typical Oxymoron model is “clashing.” The various kinds of confusing expressions incorporate silly one’s in-jokes and play on words, coincidental ones utilize by negligent speakers, and intentional ones utilize in promoting or publicizing, for example, “obligatory choice.” Instead, they want to be witty and show they can use words to make people laugh. Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. Now, don't let your brain start to hurt just yet—up next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. Example #2 “Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep that is not what it is!” (I. i. (III. It is clear that oxymoron is a powerful literary device used to add drama and appeal to speech and writing. The phrase jumbo shrimp is a great example of an oxymoron. By jamie. For Yahweh’s people to keep Old Testament Feasts in the New Testament is for many a huge contradiction — an oxymoron. The example of oxymoron, on the other hand, may be found in the same passage: Oxymoron: Jumbo shrimp . A “bookful blockhead” who is “ignorantly read” is a clear example of an oxymoron that uses humor to convey a given thought.You may also see informative speech. Oxymoron Examples in Sentences. 4. deafening silence. A list of 124 films compiled on Letterboxd, including 13 Going on 30 (2004), 30 Days of Night (2007), 50 First Dates (2004), A.I. In fact, the word 'oxymoron' is an oxymoron in itself-- oxy is Greek for 'sharp' and moron is Greek for 'dull.' Such a phrase shows that an object can have two different qualities at once, making it a subject for study and analysis. A Huge List of Oxymorons to Help You Understand the Concept. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Let's see if any of these examples of oxymorons hit home for you: Act naturally Alone together Amazingly awful Bittersweet Clearly confused Dark light Deafening silence Definitely maybe Farewell reception Growing smaller Jumbo shrimp Only choice Open secret Original copy Painfully beautiful … 10 Examples of Oxymorons. Examples of Oxymoron: 1. wakeful sleep. "But in some instances, a single word is all it takes. Medical Expert. Oxymoron An oxymoron is a term in which two contradictory terms are combined. An oxymoron is a paradoxical phrase or pair of words that contradicts itself. You might’ve heard of another literary device called the paradox, which is similar but not identical to the oxymoron. Rather, an oxymoron is a cool literary device you can use in your creative writing. But by using these oxymorons in its proper context, it will help provide a better clue of how and why they are used in literature and everyday speech. So you can see that oxymorons add humor or drama to speech or writing, allowing you to make a funny or pointed remark. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. - Charles Lamb, "I can believe anything, provided that it is quite incredible." This excerpt from Irish poet William Butler Yeats’ famous poem "Easter 1916" has the prominent oxymoron "terrible beauty," which is repeated again at the end of the poem. Virtual realityhas changed the way we view the world. Another reason why this passage is comedic is the idea of “jumbo shrimp,” a phrase which is oxymoronic. Wodehouse. 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? See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. We’ll also provide you with an extensive list of oxymorons so you can get a better feel for what oxymorons look and sound like. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." Ask below and we'll reply! Thus, as the oxymoron suggests, this scene is happy since Juliet and Romeo are in love, yet it's also sad because they must say goodbye and cannot stay together through the night. Choose from 37 different sets of oxymoron example flashcards on Quizlet. Short Examples of Oxymoron in Speech. Cheerful pessimist. Examples of Oxymoron: Great Depression; Living dead Poets have been using oxymoron as a literary device for hundreds of years to stimulate humor, range of emotion and philosophical thought. The above oxymoron examples produce a comical effect. Mistaken Oxymorons. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? Pain for pleasure 4. Despite the "terrible" things that happened and the many lives lost, Yeats uses the term "beauty" to bring attention to the positive ideals of independence that gained ground as a result of this event: this desire for self-government is what spurred the Irish War of Independence just a few years later. Oxymora are used in poetry to create dramatic expression. Although the adjective "sweet" evokes a giddy, romantic emotion, the word "sorrow" calls to mind the much less happy, far more depressing aspect of having to bid farewell to someone you'd rather not leave. In this scene, Juliet utters the phrase "sweet sorrow" to describe the feeling she has when having to say goodbye to Romeo. Artificial Intelligence (2001) and Alien³ (1992). Then check out our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. But by using these oxymorons in its proper context, it will help provide a better clue of how and why they are used in literature and everyday speech. More About Us. This famous quotation from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. Learn more. Adding the adverb "naturally" to the first phrase makes it even more apparent that the subject of discussion is rather unusual, as opposed to the effect the word "weird" would have on its own. Oxymoron Examples Whoever finds English an exciting language to learn, will be familiar with the word 'Oxymoron'. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. 2. patient zeal. Examples of oxymoron in a Sentence The phrase "Broadway rock musical" is an oxymoron. Thus, it is a lot of fun to use them in your everyday speech. - Yogi Berra, "A joke is an extremely serious issue." 207) The above statement is an example of an oxymoronic sentence delivered by the Prince of Verona as he penalizes Romeo for killing Tybalt. Now that we’ve gone over what an oxymoron is, let’s take a closer look at four famous oxymoron examples in sentences to better understand how this literary device actually works. An example of such a "comical oxymoron" is "educational television": the humour derives entirely from the claim that it is an oxymoron by the implication that "television" is so trivial as to be inherently incompatible with "education". Learn all about effective imagery and what personification is with our expert guides. Most commonly, oxymoron combines an adjective followed by a noun that has contradictory meanings. A Comprehensive Guide. Living dead 3. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? Medical Expert. 10 Examples of Oxymorons. Mistaken Oxymorons. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. 7: 14), kept the seventh-day Sabbath and Feasts of Leviticus 23. With that being said, here are some clever oxymoron examples in the form of sentences: Oxymorons are considered to be statements that contradict themselves. 3. quiet fury. One oxymoron example is "deafening silence," which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loud—just as an actual sound would. However, the contradiction in this particular punishment becomes evident from the fact that while exile may appear as a pardon or a less painful sentence, it is infinitely more agonizing than imprisonment. Example of a poem using Oxymora: The calm wind blew, The sun shone a blinding light. Oxymorons are figures of speech using two or more words that directly contradict each other. What they stumble over is that the Savior, Himself a Jew (Heb. Note: All bold emphasis in the following quotations is my own. Examples of Oxymoron: 1. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Examples of famous oxymorons are ‘Great Depression’ and ‘Act Naturally.’ The following list of funny and clever oxymorons will help to inspire your own search for the next oxymoron to add. - P.G. These terms express a particular sentiment that is best communicated through opposites. Classic examples of oxymorons include “jumbo shrimp” and “dull roar” - new descriptions formed by opposite words. The lyrics of this powerful piano ballad make use of several oxymorons. The oxymorons here point to Lancelot's contradictory existence in regard to his relationships with both Guinevere and King Arthur: Lancelot is a "faithful" and "honorable" lover to Guinevere yet also an "unfaithful" and "dishonorable" knight to King Arthur, Guinevere’s husband, whom he is essentially betraying by carrying out a love affair with the queen. Awfully good. Sometimes they're used to create a little bit of drama for the reader; sometimes they're used to make a person stop and think, whether that's to laugh or to wonder. They are quite common in day-to-day language, and little attention is given to the fact that they are a contradiction in themselves. They are quite common in day-to-day language, and little attention is given to the fact that they are a contradiction in themselves. We’ll go over exactly what an oxymoron is and then show you four oxymoron examples from pop culture and literature. The adjective for this word is oxymoronic and the adverb oxymoronically. The plural of "oxymoron" is "oxymorons" or "oxymora," but "oxymorons" is far more popular . - Edna St. Vincent Millay, "I generally advise persons never ever to present assistance." She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. All around, a deafening silence as, The atmosphere changed shape. With the first oxymoron, "perfect imperfections," the speaker is making it clear that his lover’s flaws are ultimately what make her the perfect partner for him. 'A yawn may be defined as a silent yell', is another example of oxymoron by G. K Chesterton 'I like a smuggler. These 50+ oxymoron examples are listed alphabetically and arranged by category (i.e., the type of oxymoron word combination). Humor can be found anywhere you look or read and an oxymoron flag waved. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. Generally, the ideas will come as two separate words placed side by side. The main topic of this poem is the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, an event during which numerous Irish nationalists rebelled against the British government in Ireland. The professor was giving a lecture on virtual reality. The most common type of oxymoron is an adjective followed by a noun. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: © PrepScholar 2013-2018. It's always too crowded." Some poetic devices used in this poem are sensory imagery when we here the words "defining silence". Oxymorons are often used in … William Shakespeare ’s Romeo and Juliet includes several oxymorons that both elevate the play’s language and foreshadow its tragic ending. In an oxymoron, the words themselves have a shade of contradiction in their definitions. - Samuel Goldwyn, "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business."

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