1. a combination of contradictory or opposing terms
Usage: rhetoric; literary device

Examples

• The phrase ‘deafening silence’ is a classic oxymoron.
• Her teacher explained that ‘jumbo shrimp’ is an oxymoron.
• The title ‘cruel kindness’ creates an effective oxymoron.
• ‘Act naturally’ is a common oxymoron in everyday speech.
• The poet used the oxymoron ‘bitter sweet’ to describe lost love.
• Students often confuse oxymorons with other figures of speech.