Science fiction, magical realism, and historical fiction are all oxymoronic. If you didn't know, a stallion refers to a male horse. Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. That makes oxymorons a serious option in word choice. An example of dramatic irony comes from the play Oedipus Rex. And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true. Overall, as a literary device, oxymoron functions as a means of getting the readers attention through the pairing of opposing or contradictory words. Sprinkle in a few to evoke a laugh, a sense of wonder, drama, playfulness, and more. Friendship makes life more enjoyable and enriches one's everyday experiences. Feel free to look throughthis vast list of oxymoron examplesif youre in need of an oxymoron for something you're writing or if you simply want tolearn some of the most commonones. However, a bone may seem juicy to a dog that is salivating at the thought of chewing it. Virtual reality is an oxymoron because "virtual" implies that something isn't real, but reality implies that it is. Add a great title, like an oxymoron that represents the poetry of the lyrics, and you have a song thats a beloved classic for years to come. The other two oxymorons emphasize the fact that no matter what happensfor example,no matter how sad or defeated the speaker might feelthere willalways be a silver lining in that he'swith the love of his life. The phrasedaily night certainly features contrary wording. to compound the power behind certain words. The quote "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" might appear true at first, but nothing can be more equal than something else. If something is original,then it is not a copy. Generally, the ideas will come astwo separate words placed side by side. This may be a story you can relate to. 3 Surprising Ways to Help Stoic Men Open Up, 5 Ways Your Mind Deceives You When Your Heart Is Broken, 2 Ways Empathy Determines the Type of Partner We Choose, To Be Happy for the Rest of Your Life, Seek These Goals, 6 Surprising Ways to Change Habits and Transform Your Life, If You Think You Have ADHD, Ask Yourself These 5 Questions, How Emotional Neglect From Childhood Can Hold You Back, The Role of Self-Determination in Well-Being, 8 Things to Do If You're the Target of Hurtful Gossip, How Wanting to Be Liked" Gets You Rejected. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." You don't need to grow up in a perfect family to be emotionally happy and healthy, but your family must be "good enough.". "Hook-up sex" is mostly void of relationship beyond the physical connection; a form of playing by using each other's bodies. This might sound silly, but finding friends can be challenging! By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. Owl Eyes is an improved reading and annotating experience for classrooms, book clubs, and literature lovers. Now, don't let your brain start to hurt just yetup next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. Its so important that we surround ourselves with people who we have fun with, who support us, and people who make us better. William Shakespeare was known to sprinkle them throughout his plays, poems, and sonnets. marekuliasz / iStock / Getty Images Plus. Emerson writes that a friend should be a beautiful enemy. The first word demonstrates something attractive, while the latter references someone who is an adversary. , oxymorons have a few different purposes in writing, all of which are quite useful in the right situation: Oxymorons tend to have deeper meanings and be more memorable than noncontradictory words, so they work great at key points in your writing for boosting reader engagement. Friendships get us through the tough times in life, make things more fun and enjoyable, and all-around make our lives better. School Memberships, 2023 OwlEyes.org, Inc. All Rights Reserved. When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. For example, if a character receives apainful smile,this creates a significant dramatic effect. This contradiction is also known as a paradox. Your writing will connect with your readers emotions, youll keep their attention all the way through, and theyll come to the end wishing there was more. Review the example sentences below to get a better sense of how oxymorons can be used in sentences and dialogue. Are you still searching for the perfect oxymoron? First, they make life more enjoyable. Oxymorons aren't just for classic literature. There are many oxymoron examples that you might come across in your everyday life. They're like finding home. How Blame and Shame Can Fuel Depression in Rape Victims, Getting More Hugs Is Linked to Fewer Symptoms of Depression, Interacting With Outgroup Members Reduces Prejudice, Practice Improves the Potential for Future Plasticity, How Financial Infidelity Can Affect Your Gray Divorce, Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss and Other Benefits, 4 Reasons Why Infidelity Happens Even in Happy Relationships, Why 'Raising' Your Partner Can End in Relationship Burnout, How Automatic Thoughts Can Hurt a Relationship. With the first oxymoron,"perfect imperfections," the speaker is making it clear that his lovers flaws are ultimately what make her the perfect partner for him. Self-determination theory says that we have three psychological needs for optimal well-being: relatedness, competence, and autonomy. As we explore friendships today, these are also inclusive of our partners. Do All Romantic Relationships Require Some Sacrifice? Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: With loads of learned lumber in his head . Robust, real-time communication assistance, Write, rewrite, get ideas, and quickly reply with GrammarlyGO, Features to polish, grammar, tone, clarity, team consistency, and more, Writing assistance on 500,000+ apps and sites across your devices, For desktop apps and websites like Word and Gmail, For sites like Google Docs, Gmail, and LinkedIn, Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, Format citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago. The word oxymoron is an ancient Greek word, which translates most closely to something like sharply dull or cleverly stupid. In other words, the oxymoron definition is itself an oxymoron. In speech, oxymorons can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. But she is and she has a beautiful aesthetic and she has guided me. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. Slow and steady wins the race. It causes the reader to really think about the nature of equality. Why friends are so important Having solid friendships is important for two main reasons. Social distance may spur feelings of sexual nostalgia for previous partners. It's likely you've used, or at least heard, a few oxymorons in your everyday life, even if you didn't realize it at the time. Consider these oxymoron examples: I am a deeply superficial person. Andy Warhol, I distinctly remember forgetting that. Clara Barton. Even if you're a wise fool you can show real potential. Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. Browse Library, Teacher Memberships I've been saying in the press that being a NY Post investigator reporter is an oxymoron. Writers have used them for centuries as a literary device to describe lifes oddities, conflicts, incongruities, heartbreak, and craziness. An oxymoron is a figure of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other. It illustrates his dilemma in the story. However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. No, it's not an insult! The word "oxymoron" is itself oxymoronic, which is to say contradictory. Oxymoron: A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined. A common oxymoron example is "bittersweet"the two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory. Reviewed by Ekua Hagan. 20 Editing Tips From Professional Writers, How to Use Alliteration to Improve Your Writing, Improve Your English Grammar With These Sites. Note: All bold emphasis in the following quotations is my own. Here are 67 examples that we think youll, Modern pop culture works hard to attract the attention of the targeted viewer or, In fact, many modern authors are coming up with their own as well, for, These examples might help you use oxymorons to good effect in your, And where did this insane notion of buying loyalty come from? Find full texts with expert analysis in our extensive library. However, the terms are also complementary as a pair. Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. Individuals who nag others tend to do so in relationships where there is close proximity. Definition and Examples. We hang out together, laugh and joke, have fun and confide in each other. Keep going to discover even more. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Lancelot and Elaine" inIdylls of the King. In fact, many modern authors are coming up with their own as well, for example: These examples might help you use oxymorons to good effect in your writing. Well provide oxymoron examples and provide guidance on how theyre used, but first, lets look at a more thorough oxymoron definition. Now that we know the definition of oxymoron, let's take a look at some examples. Attachment style may predict which romantic partners remain faithful to each other. 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. Frequently Asked Questions About oxymoron. However, oxymorons themselves are not automatically clichs. Now that weve gone over what an oxymoron is, lets take a closer look at four famous oxymoron examples in sentences to better understand how this literary device actually works. But when you find these people, these kenzoku, they're like priceless gems. Generally, the ideas will come as two separate words placed side by side. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Joe Pantoliano 0 Likes Boisterously shy is a good one though, hon. Oscar Wilde. Paradox is another literary device in which a statement features initially contrasting ideas. I do things that you wouldn't associate with a good little Christian girl. Some of the longest-lasting oxymorons were generated by Shakespeare in his plays and are still widely used today. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday expression: insertListLink('', 2, 2, 'shortexamples'). The scope of a paradox can go much deeper, drawing on complicated themes and philosophical concepts. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. There are several examples in Romeo and Juliet, like the following quotes. "100 Awfully Good Examples of Oxymorons." up next, we take a look at oxymoron examples in sentences from literature and pop culture. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/awfully-good-examples-of-oxymorons-1691814. These figures of speech can enhance a readers understanding of a concept, interpretation of a phrase, or enjoyment of language. What's the Ideal Age for Getting Married? Act naturally. Countries engage in civil war or fight holy wars to defend those with blue blood. Like the Tennyson example above, this oxymoron highlights St. John's dilemma in choosing between love and honor. There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. Oxymoron: When an astronaut feels under the weather. (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) This combination of contrary or antithetical words is also known in conversation as a contradiction in terms. As a literary device they can serve many functions. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone. As I thought about it, there are four people in my life I consider kenzoku. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device that uses two opposite or contradictory terms one after the other in order to project an effect. ", In Animal Farm, George Orwell uses an oxymoron in the midst of a paradox: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.". We just hope you were never an uninvited guest! 'Feminist comedy,' practically an oxymoron, had a couple of good years after WWII. Friend is defined as "a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard; a person who gives assistance; patron. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. As a literary device, oxymoron has the effect of creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader. Despite the similarities, however, oxymorons and paradoxes are two different types of literary devices, each with their own special usage. See in text("Friendship"). "i find nothing more depressing than optimism.". The second half of the word comes from the ancient Greek word "mros," meaning dull or foolish. Oxymorons are often used poetically as a way of bringing out a fresh meaning in a word or phrase. The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". Oxymorons are a great way to evoke emotion, reveal a paradox, confuse the reader, or add humor to your writing. Professor Raymond Malewitz answers these questions using examples from William Shake. The strong voice you were born with is still there within you, waiting for you to reconnect with it. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. Robert Puff, Ph.D., is host and producer of the Happiness Podcast, with over 16 million downloads. The term 'serious actor' is kind of an oxymoron, isn't it? Terms|Privacy Policy|Refund Policy|Affiliate Disclosure, Oxymorons are one of the seasonings in great, And today, youll see exactly how this flavorful figurative language helps fold more flair and fun into any, Writers have used them for centuries as a, to describe lifes oddities, conflicts, incongruities, heartbreak, and craziness. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. The phrase original copyis a good illustration of an oxymoron. 311 likes. Today, we are taking a deep dive into the definition of this literary device. The politician gave his deceptively honest opinion. More than a few have even become commonplace expressions in modern-day English, such as these oxymoron examples: As with other literary devices like metaphor, onomatopoeia, and hyperbole, oxymorons have a few different purposes in writing, all of which are quite useful in the right situation: As a contradiction of terms, an oxymoron both stands out and also elicits critical thinking. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . If were dating someone and theyre a jerk, its probably safe to assume that theyre not a good friend. tragic comedy unbiased opinion only choice virtual reality definite maybe original copies 16. In Fairies and the Quest for Never Land, Gail Carson Levine describes the character Vidia as a "loyal traitor". What's the Difference Between Oxymoron and Antithesis? If you're in school to become an educator, you might have to spend a semester as a student teacher. Friendships are a crucial part of living a fulfilling life. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. "A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.". Oxymorons are often used in everyday conversation and ina breadth of writing, such as literature, poetry, and songwriting. Interviews with heterosexual men in relationships revealed that feeling desired was "very important" to the vast majority. . This stanza, from Lord Tennysons retelling of the tale of King Arthur, usesseveral oxymorons for poetic effect and as a way to emphasize the conundrum that Lancelot, Arthurs most loyal knight and friend, finds himself in. In many ways, the most important friendship in our lives is the one we have with our romantic partners. True friendship is seen through the heart, not through the eyes. Nordquist, Richard. One of my favorite quotations comes from Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Join social clubs organized around activities you enjoy. Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: All the pain he had endured was as nothing compared with the exquisite agony of this. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. As a literary device, it is used to make certain word combinations more thought-provoking to stand out. In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. It can be used for serious poignancy or for humor. Yet, the depth and meaning of friendship certainly go beyond the simple and the common. But if the statement is true, then it cant be false, despite the fact it claims to be! What is an oxymoron? When there are bumps in a friendship or a romantic relationship, its important to work through those tough times. When someone says a phrase such as "clearly confused," the speaker is finding a new way to describe that individual or object. They also occasionally work well with. I ended up finding a local hiking group with the hopes of meeting people with similar interests. Not asking you to place the friendship before your principles. When these words are combined, they create a figure of speech with a whole new meaning. Two things that can greatly improve our lives are engaging in the here and now and seeing life as play rather than work. So its important to group our romantic partners into this conversation too. The word oxymoron is quite literally an oxymoron! You might eat vegan bacon and fresh frozen fruit when you take a working vacation. in a unique way thats particularly expressive. Together, these words indicate that Holden takes pride in how adept he is at lyinga behavior that is generally associated with indignity. This phrase demonstrates the various emotions one feels within a friendship: on one hand, it is pleasant and desirable; on the other, it creates a sense of agony and torture. For some of these examples, the oxymorons are linked to two phrases within the sentence rather than a single phrase. Banksy, Wall and Piece. Shrimp means small and jumbo means large, but when they are combined, this oxymoron just refers to larger-than-average shrimp. that juxtaposes contradictory terms. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings, like old news, deafening silence, or organized chaos. Oxymorons may seem illogical at first, but in context they usually make sense. Talk to people, exchange contact information, and follow up with them. We cant choose our parents, our genetics, or control the things that happen in the world around us. Listen for more examples from your music playlists or Netflix queue. Leverage the Internet to find people of like mind. How true are your interpretations of your partner's behavior? Thus, as the oxymoron suggests, this scene ishappy since Juliet and Romeo are in love, yet it's also sad because they must say goodbyeand cannot stay together through the night. Life is like a river: It's easier and more beneficial to go with the natural flow rather than fight against it. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? Of course, we may have friends who fit all these criteria and still don't quite feel kenzoku. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King, Parting is such sweet sorrow. Maybe you've told a joke only to get deafening silence in response. Consider these paradox examples: You have to spend money to make money. O loving hate! There were quite a few people in my program that I enjoyed spending time with. I personally think intellectual property is an oxymoron. In Greek, oxys means sharp or keen, and moros means foolish or dull. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? Usually, oxymorons are made up of just two words, but paradoxes are complete sentences, sometimes entire paragraphs. Boost your happiness and reduce your stress. Friendship is constant in all other things, Save in the office and affairs of love. William Shakespeare 's Romeo and Juliet includes several oxymorons that both elevate the play's language and foreshadow its tragic ending. and Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. A . What Are Some Examples of Oxymorons in Pop Culture? Know what to expect. Yes! You'll have definitely heard some in everyday conversation. This phrase qualifies as an oxymoron because the words "same" and "difference" have opposite meanings. When your heart is broken, your mind wants you to remember the pain. Oxymoron can also serve as a means of elevated language when used to express a sense of irony. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound. There are quite a few in just the first three letters. She feels sadness knowing she must say good night to Romeo. Together, oxymoros meant "pointedly foolish". PostedDecember 15, 2013 Privacy Policy. Both are contradictions, but the big difference between oxymoron and paradox is that a paradox is something you think about. They appear in literature and pop culture, and you probably use them all the time in your day-to-day life. On the nightly news, you might hear about an escaped prisoner or a controversy with a foreign national. While they can be effective if used intentionally, clichs can make your writing feel stale and unimaginative. Authors and musicians often use oxymorons as a rhetorical device. Oxymoron Quotes. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Second, our friends help us through the difficult times. The oxymoronic phrase "delicious torment" exemplifies the conundrum of friendship. ProWritingAid's Clich check can help you identify them as they are easily overlooked. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory words are put together in an unexpected way. All rights reserved. Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. Artist Andy Warhol once described himself as a deeply superficial person. Having friends to support us through hard times can make unimaginably difficult situations seem more tolerable. They are a versatile tool that sets your work apart from your competition and makes it more enjoyable and memorable by: Thats over five dozen oxymoron examples in several different formats to inspire fresh ways to hook your readers and keep their interest. The question then arises: why do we have the kind of chemistry encapsulated by the word kenzoku with only a few people we know and not scores of others? Friendship smiled and said, 'To put a smile where you leave tears.'. Use the above examples where they fit or as models for creating your own unique oxymorons. | Time and distance do nothing to diminish the bond we have in the deepest kinds of friendship. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. 500 matching entries found. Adjectives that Start with S: List of 500+ Words to Describe Someone, The Best Places to Find Free Grammar Help Online. The longer two people share their lives together, the more likely complex factors are involved in their breakup. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '21006efe-96ea-47ea-9553-204221f7f333', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. Ever. 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. This next oxymoron example is about Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot's tragic love affair. Or a friend from grammar school with whom we haven't talked in decades. The contrast between the positive attributes of the first word against the negative attributes of the second illustrates this oxymoron. 12 Mood Examples From Literature (+ Definition & Writing Tips), Best Email Marketing Software: 7+ Noise-Busting Reviews (2023), 7+ Best Webinar Software Platforms to Ace Your Meetings (2023), Terrible beauty (William Butler Yeats, 1916). Despite what it might sound like, noan oxymoron isnt something you can call your little brother when hes bugging you. Their parents probably preferred Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" or the Beatles' "Hard Day's Night".

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