antiphrasis

American  

[an-tif-ruh-sis] / ænˈtɪf rə sɪs /

noun

Rhetoric.

1. the use of a word in a sense opposite to its proper meaning.

---

antiphrasis British  

/ ænˈtɪfrəsɪs /

noun

1. rhetoric the use of a word in a sense opposite to its normal one, esp for ironic effect

---

Other Word Forms

• antiphrastic adjective
• antiphrastical adjective
• antiphrastically adverb

Etymology

Origin of antiphrasis

1525–35; < Latin < Greek, derivative of antiphrázein to speak the opposite ( anti- anti- + phrázein to speak); phrase, sis

Example Sentences

And sometimes a name employs what the Greeks called antiphrasis.

From Washington Post

Besides all the fine things above described in my uncle's garden, there was also a rather unpleasant pavilion, which he had entitled the Délices, doubtless by antiphrasis.

From Project Gutenberg

Instances of antiphrasis in the names given to black slaves are very common.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, they were taunted with their very name, as having been bestowed upon them "by antiphrasis," i.e. by contraries.

From Project Gutenberg