and Life is like a river: It's easier and more beneficial to go with the natural flow rather than fight against it. This is especially achieved if the word pairing reveals intensity or a great difference in quality. Although many struggle with being alone, it is part of the human condition. Combined, the two words add a third dimension to the meaning of friendship: there is delight in the torment. Which murders your poem with a harsh bite. Are you Nobody too? (, Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. (, Vidia was complicated, two fairies in one, a loyal traitor. (Gail Carson Levine). ), so this article explains everything you need to know. Try the Clich Report with a free ProWritingAid account. A true friend won't ask you to compromise your principles in the name of your friendship or anything else. James Bond approached the beautiful women he encountered in every assignment with cool passion. In 2018, a documentary about undocumented immigrants in the United States came out. . Thenyou'll need to knowwhat to expect on exam day, including what kinds of questions you'll be asked and how much time you'll have. Copyright 2023 Literary Devices. What is an oxymoron? The term 'serious actor' is kind of an oxymoron, isn't it? I must refuse it in order to be worthy to receive it. 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. Before you lash out, learn how to de-identify and maintain your perspective. Banksy, Wall and Piece. Oxymorons present an ideal opportunity to be clever or funny. Interviews with heterosexual men in relationships revealed that feeling desired was "very important" to the vast majority. When there are bumps in a friendship or a romantic relationship, its important to work through those tough times. Professor Raymond Malewitz answers these questions using examples from William Shake. What's the Ideal Age for Getting Married? 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. Here are 67 examples that we think youll love. Despite the "terrible" things that happened and the many lives lost, Yeats uses the term "beauty" to bring attention to the positive ideals of independence that gained ground as a result of this event:thisdesire for self-government is what spurred the Irish War of Independence just a few years later. As our team gathered for the staff meeting, the boss was conspicuously absent. When someone says a phrase such as "clearly confused," the speaker is finding a new way to describe that individual or object. The contrast between the positive attributes of the first word against the negative attributes of the second illustrates this oxymoron. If we put them together, we get the very strange concept: sharply dull. This means that oxymoron is a figure of speech that includes just a couple of contradictory words that are paired together rather than a full statement of ideas. I've been saying in the press that being a NY Post investigator reporter is an oxymoron. As the example's author, Richard Watson Todd, said, "The true beauty of oxymorons is that, unless we sit back and really think, we happily accept them as normalEnglish. Oxymoron is also a literary device, but is considered a condensed paradox. Having friends to support us through hard times can make unimaginably difficult situations seem more tolerable. Oxymorons are cynical and fun. 2012-2023 Smart Blogger Boost Blog Traffic, Inc. 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. In this scene, Juliet utters the phrase "sweet sorrow" to describe the feeling she has when having to say goodbye to Romeo. Deafening silence. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile" We are friends; we have been for a long time. Night of the Living Dead: 1968 film. With over 300k subscribers and 4 million readers, Smart Blogger is one of the world's largest websites dedicated to writing and blogging. Here's the famous quote about Lancelot: "His honour rooted in dishonour stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.". Just try not to get freezer burn. You might eat vegan bacon and fresh frozen fruit when you take a working vacation. Trust that youll recover and be yourself again. The Japanese have a term, kenzoku, which translated literally means "family." They can enhance writing and communication in a variety of ways, including by adding dramatic effect. your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. And I have a really great agent and I know it's almost an oxymoron to say you have a smart agent. Oxymorons are a great way to evoke emotion, reveal a paradox, confuse the reader, or add humor to your writing. The word oxymoron is derived from a late-Greek word. Our analytical, problem-solving mind knows how to live not. Learn to reject friendship, or rather the dream of friendship. Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, Of melancholy merriment, to quote. If Holdens claim is that he is wonderful at being an untruthful person, then he casts doubt as to the truth of his own statement to the reader about being a terrific liar as well. Having solid friendships is important for two main reasons. - Contact Us - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions, Definition and Examples of Literary Terms, Little Bighorn Battlefield (national monument in Montana), CatDog (American animated television series), Big Little Lies (book by Liane Moriarty, adapted into television series for HBO), Quotes from a Devout Atheist (compilation book of Richard Dawkins quotes), Waking Dream (American documentary film), You cant have more types of fake news than real news. (Elon Musk), Im nobody! It can be used for serious poignancy or for humor. Infidelity is not always a symptom of a flawed personality or relationship. On its own silence is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. Do you know what an oxymoron is? It illustrates his dilemma in the story. Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. in a unique way thats particularly expressive. Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. Oxymoron is an effective literary device. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, A damned saint, an honorable villain! Paired together, however, they create a deeper meaning. Adjectives that Start with S: List of 500+ Words to Describe Someone, The Best Places to Find Free Grammar Help Online. Many of us have people in our lives with whom we feel the bond described by the word kenzoku. Men have long been silent and stoic about their inner lives, but theres every reason for them to open up emotionallyand their partners are helping. There is a book by Kirker Butler called Pretty Ugly. Writers have used them for centuries as a literary device to describe lifes oddities, conflicts, incongruities, heartbreak, and craziness. This oxymoron means unlimited free drinks, but, by definition, a bar keeps something closed offthe opposite of open. When these words are combined, they create a figure of speech with a whole new meaning. 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. If you're learning English as a second language, you might be confused by these figures of speech. Some of the stories might even be old news! Whether in writing or speech, using words with oxymoronic meaning can lend a sense of humor, irony, or sarcasm. (One, in particular, is in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, wherein combining things that contrast is an ongoing theme.) An oxymoron can be a word or phrase in one of these formats: Oxymorons and juxtapositions are closely related literary terms. These phrases combine to create a whole new concept. It plays with readers' expectations to demonstrate themes or build tension. Classic examples of oxymorons include "jumbo shrimp" and "dull roar" - new descriptions formed by opposite words. Shrimp means small and jumbo means large, but when they are combined, this oxymoron just refers to larger-than-average shrimp. Or if you would prefer to get your master's degree, you'll be a graduate student. Consider the oxymoron example deafening silence. ""crush the sweet poison of misused wine"" The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. By that measure, no crisis is unimportant or minor. Seeing these oxymoron examples used in the context of sentences may provide a better idea of how and why they're used. In turn, if something is acopy,then it is not original. The most beautiful part about pouring our time and energy into friendships is that not only do friends help enrich our lives, but we enrich theirs too! An oxymoron is a type of juxtaposition, just shorter and focused on two contradictory concepts. Unfortunately, the people I had dedicated time to thus far were achievement-oriented and were pouring their time into work and not our friendships. ", 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.". In Charlotte Bront's classic Jane Eyre, St. John describes his love Rosamond as "delicious poison". Juxtaposition is about placing two things side by side to bring out their differences; its about comparing situations, ideas, emotions, characters, settings, and events. Read literally, they contradict themselves. These phrases demonstrates the dual sensation of pleasure and pain one may experience within a friendship as well as the importance of maintaining a sense of closeness and distance with another person. But once you become fluent in English, it's easy to recognize such oxymorons for the figures of speech that they are. is an ancient Greek word, which translates most closely to something like sharply dull or cleverly. Modern pop culture works hard to attract the attention of the targeted viewer or reader in todays flood of advertising. ThoughtCo. As a literary device they can serve many functions. A great example is the movie, Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon. Friendship is constant in all other things, Save in the office and affairs of love. See in text("Friendship"). Salinger uses an oxymoron in this quote by Holden Caulfield, the narrator of the novel. Oxymoron is sometimes used to describe a word combination that strikes the listener as humorously contradictory, even if the speaker didn't intend it that way. Placing contrasting words next to each other makes each one stand out more, just like placing contrasting colors together. The sentences in this section feature oxymorons from the list above. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. Ask questions; get answers. Friends can also: Increase your sense of belonging and purpose. 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. However, if you think too hard about the meaning, you'll realize that on the surface it doesn't quite make sense. "Alone Together": Song by Fall Out Boy. Shakespeare was a master of using oxymoron in his plays and poems. Too many uses of oxymoron can be either distracting or tedious for the reader. Have you ever played on an Oculus Rift? This contradiction is also known as a paradox. It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. Oxymoron can enhance drama in writing. The word is derived from two ancient Greek words: oxys, which means "sharp," and moronos, which means "dull" or "stupid." One of my favorite quotations comes from Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." If we prioritize choosing good people who we can trust will work through issues with us, then we can work through anything. 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. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation: Think you havent heard of any famous oxymorons? Rather, an oxymoron is a cool literary device you can use in your creative writing. The backbone of any successful friendship is one where both sides put in equal effort and support. Through various oxymoronic expressions, such as delicious torment, beautiful enemy, and sweet poison, Emerson encapsulates the paradoxical nature of friendship. Three ways to respond when someone presents with an all-or-nothing attitude. Beneath male armor is a world of deep feelings, needs, and desires. Can you think of any more fun examples? True friendship is seen through the heart, not through the eyes. For even more examples of oxymorons in sentences, take a look at these examples of funny oxymoron quotes. Slow and steady wins the race. The first criteria one should look for in a partner is someone who is ultimately agood friend to them. . Browse Library, Teacher Memberships Even though the two words are often antonyms (words with opposite meanings), they don't negate each other. There are many oxymoron examples that you might come across in your everyday life. Is it starting to seem like there is an unlimited supply of oxymorons in the English language? We get to share the beautiful aspects of life with people who we love, which can enrich our everyday experiences. My parents divorced when I was born, and my mother is a political science professor, like a feminist Mormon, which is sort of an oxymoron. A songs amazing melody may make it a fan-favorite. Ever. 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. That makes oxymorons a serious option in, is fairly neutralit can be calm or tense, depending on the context. Evidence suggests intermittent fasting aids in weight loss and improves health. The lyrics of this powerful piano ballad make use of several oxymorons. In many ways, the most important friendship in our lives is the one we have with our romantic partners. The reader must momentarily pause to comprehend and process the meaningin other words, oxymorons make the reader think. Yet, original copy as an oxymoron commonly and figuratively means that the content of the copy is original. Also, mastering, Both are contradictions, but the big difference between oxymoron and paradox is that a, is something you think about. Not everyone realizes how powerful words can be. Countries engage in civil war or fight holy wars to defend those with blue blood. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two seemingly contradictory or opposite ideas to create a certain rhetorical or poetic effect and reveal a deeper truth. It's really interesting to see how this figure of speech finds its way into everyday communication. So its important to group our romantic partners into this conversation too. Quotes tagged as "oxymoron" Showing 1-30 of 31. I recommend you find groups or activities that you genuinely enjoy. Throughout history friendship has been a favorite theme for many writers. They're like finding home. It's a tricky thing to try to own something that remains in your possession even after you give it to many others. Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King, Parting is such sweet sorrow. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. This way youll have the opportunity to connect with people who have similar interests. ), so this article explains everything you need to know. With loads of learned lumber in his head . (2021, February 16). Friendship smiled and said, 'To put a smile where you leave tears.'. There are several examples in Romeo and Juliet, like the following quotes. When you're ready to graduate from oxymorons to symbolism, enjoy these examples of symbolism in literature. The conservative political writer William Buckley, for instance, became famous for quotes like, "An intelligent liberal is an oxymoron.". Friendship is a very simple word, very commonly used. We cant choose our parents, our genetics, or control the things that happen in the world around us. Keep going to discover even more. Your writing, at its best We make the relationship a priority no matter what coast each other is on. The scope of a paradox can go much deeper, drawing on complicated themes and philosophical concepts. Like the Tennyson example above, this oxymoron highlights St. John's dilemma in choosing between love and honor. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. Consider these oxymoron examples: I am a deeply superficial person. Andy Warhol, I distinctly remember forgetting that. Clara Barton. How to use oxymoron in a sentence. 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. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. This might sound silly, but finding friends can be challenging! In addition to our own actions, we have control over the friends or partners that we choose in the first place. "The Sound of Silence": Song by Simon . This famous quotation from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet contains an equally famous oxymoron. ), so this article . Well provide oxymoron examples and provide guidance on how theyre used, but first, lets look at a more thorough oxymoron definition. If you didn't know, a stallion refers to a male horse. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. If were dating someone and theyre a jerk, its probably safe to assume that theyre not a good friend. It implies the presence of the deepest connection of friendship, of lives lived as comrades from the distant past. A . We already gave an oxymoron definition above, so here lets talk about paradoxes. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Awfully good, bittersweet, same difference, and original copy are a few oxymoron examples. For example, sorority girl lawyer might be an oxymoron that summarizes the plot of Legally Blond. Custom and user added quotes with pictures. A common oxymoron is the phrase "the same difference." Definition and Examples. PostedDecember 15, 2013 Instead, meaning should be derived from the context in which an oxymoron is used. | As a result, I learned how important it was to carve out time in my life for friends. If it is familiar, it may sound quite trite. 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. Highlighting their differences accentuates their meaning and the words come across stronger. A crisis is defined as a time of serious difficulty or importance. Grace Slick What I hope you take away from this post is this friendships take energy, time, and commitment. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. How true are your interpretations of your partner's behavior? Oxymoron is used frequently in literature because it can serve so many functions. Who are you? Retributive and restorative justice in relationships. What's the Difference Between Oxymoron and Antithesis? He enjoyed writing things that weren't meant to be taken literally, simply pondered upon. Here are some of the more famous oxymoron examples from historical literature: With loads of learned lumber in his head . An oxymoron is a figure of speech, usually one or two words, in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. The main topic of this poem is the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, an event during whichnumerous Irish nationalists rebelled against the British government in Ireland. Here are some examples of oxymoron phrases in well-known literary works, along with how they add to interpretation: Good night, good night! Friendship is a wonderful word, it might be the most If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Nordquist, Richard. to compound the power behind certain words. And once youre there, take a risk! The supporting, loving part of our relationship wasnt there anymore, so it was no longer worth putting energy into maintaining a friendship that had changed so much. ., And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true., The main difference between an oxymoron and a paradox is that, . GTS Meaning: What Does It Mean and Stand For? Write with Grammarly. The scope of oxymorons, however, is limited only to the scope of the individual words used. All rights reserved. Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. Oxymorons are often used in literature. There are many great oxymorons out there, and more are discovered and invented every day. A common oxymoron example is "bittersweet"the two root words, bitter and sweet, are inherently contradictory. Overall, as a literary device, oxymoron functions as a means of getting the readers attention through the pairing of opposing or contradictory words. The word oxymoron is quite literally an oxymoron! Oxymorons aren't limited to the first few letters of the alphabet. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. The second half of the word comes from the ancient Greek word "mros," meaning dull or foolish. Generally, the ideas will come astwo separate words placed side by side. The word friend is almost used on a daily basis. Oxymorons are a great way to evoke emotion, reveal a paradox, confuse the reader, or add humor to your writing. before the romance and sexual stuff gets in the way. Well go over exactly what an oxymoron is and then show you four oxymoron examples from pop culture and literature. Add a great title, like an, New, old-fashioned way from Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee, Your eyes whispered have we met from Enchanted by Taylor Swift, I only wanna die alive from Break Free by Ariana Grande, Now my empty cup tastes as sweet as the punch from Along Comes Mary by the Association, When its cold outside, Ive got the month of May from My Girl by the Temptations, Funny oxymorons often come from sarcastic or cynical contradictions. Bringing them together into one phrase can produce a verbally puzzling, yet engaging, effect. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. A studyfound that women who had more than 10 sexual partners prior to marriage showed an increase in divorce rates. Saying that a picture or a scene is "painfully beautiful" calls attention to the speaker and the object of inquiry. At first, a paradox may not make sense, but it causes deeper reflection. Act naturally. There are some well-known phrases and quotations that make use of oxymorons. Go beyond words when generative AI comes to Grammarly, Grammarly helps you communicate confidently. We both view the friendship as one that makes each others lives better, therefore its always worth the time and energy. 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. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our in-depth guide to the 31 literary devices you must know. They also occasionally work well with figurative language to compound the power behind certain words.