oxymoron
noun/ˌɑksiˈmɔrɑn/
Frequency rank: #16,858 of 20,003 in the WORDED list (wordfreq data)
Meaning
A figure of speech that combines two contradictory or opposite terms.
Example sentence
Calling a war 'peaceful' is an example of a classic oxymoron.
Synonyms & related words
- contradiction
- paradox
- incongruity
More words in ranks 16,801–16,900
- okeyAn informal way of saying 'okay'; expressing agreement or approval.
- opticallyin a way that relates to light or the sense of sight
- ousterthe act of forcing someone out of a position or place
- outdoto do better than someone else; to surpass.
- outliveto live longer than another person or thing.
- palmettoa small palm tree native to the southeastern United States and Caribbean regions.
- patronizeTo treat someone as if they are less intelligent or capable than they really are.
- phonologicalrelating to the sound system and sound patterns of a language.
- pinkishsomewhat pink in color; having a slight pink tint.
- polymorphismthe occurrence of something in several different forms or types.