oxymoron

[ ok-si-mawr-on, -mohr- ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

, plural ox·y·mo·ra [ok-si-, mawr, -, uh, -, mohr, -, uh], ox·y·mor·ons.

1. a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”

oxymoron

/ ˌɒksɪˈmɔːrɒn /

noun

1. rhetoric an epigrammatic effect, by which contradictory terms are used in conjunction

   living death

   fiend angelical

oxymoron

1. A rhetorical device in which two seemingly contradictory words are used together for effect: “She is just a poor little rich girl.”

Other Words From

• ox·y·mo·ron·ic [ok-see-m, uh, -, ron, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oxymoron¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Late Latin oxymorum, from presumed Greek oxýmōron (unrecorded), neuter of oxýmōros (unrecorded) “sharp-dull,” equivalent to oxý(s) “sharp” ( oxy- ¹ ) + mōrós “dull” ( moron )

Word History and Origins

Origin of oxymoron¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek oxumōron, from oxus sharp + mōros stupid

Example Sentences

Her own lawyer has called her a high-functioning conservatee, which conservatorship experts have noted is an oxymoron in the conservatorship system.

From ProPublica

The very notion that we should have come together was an oxymoron.

From Washington Post

Before you protest that the phrase is an oxymoron, remember that we’re in the midst of a pandemic whose scope we couldn’t have imagined a little over a year ago.

From Time

Among scientists, scientific certainty is an oxymoron and the bar for even approaching certainty is extremely high.

From Washington Post

Being a progressive safety first marketer shouldn’t be an oxymoron in the current climate — but it is.

From Digiday