antiphrasis
[ an-tif-ruh-sis ]
/ ænˈtɪf rə sɪs /
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noun Rhetoric.
the use of a word in a sense opposite to its proper meaning.
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Origin of antiphrasis
OTHER WORDS FROM antiphrasis
an·ti·phras·tic [an-ti-fras-tik], /ˌæn tɪˈfræs tɪk/, an·ti·phras·ti·cal, adjectivean·ti·phras·ti·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby antiphrasis
antiphlogistic, antiphon, antiphonal, antiphonary, antiphony, antiphrasis, Antiphus, anti-pill, antiplasmin, antiplastic, antiplatelet
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for antiphrasis
The friend who presented me with him had given him, perhaps by antiphrasis, the startling name of Pelléas.
Our Friend the Dog|Maurice MaeterlinckInstances of antiphrasis in the names given to black slaves are very common.
The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I.|Anonymous
British Dictionary definitions for antiphrasis
antiphrasis
/ (ænˈtɪfrəsɪs) /
noun
rhetoric the use of a word in a sense opposite to its normal one, esp for ironic effect
Word Origin for antiphrasis
C16: via Late Latin from Greek, from anti- + phrasis, from phrazein to speak
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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