Have you ever heard or read “Bittersweet”, “Jumbo shrimp“, or “Pretty ugly”, these kinds of opposite words? If yes, then these types of words are called an Oxymoron Figure of Speech. They are made of two opposite words combined to make a word. It discloses a deeper meaning by driving the listener or reader to think critically about these words. These unique expressions, known as oxymora, create powerful contrasts in language. Thus, the importance of oxymoron meaning in English is high because it ranges from improving descriptions and escalating emotions. Therefore, walk around this blog as you will navigate the oxymoron definition, examples, worksheets, and more. So let’s explore this figure of speech together.
Table of Contents
The oxymoron figure of speech is used to combine two contradictory or incongruous words to make phrases, emphasis, or irony. It describes two different ideas or opposite words to create a new and sometimes nuanced meaning. Additionally, it works like an oxymoron literary device as it is used in writing, rhetoric, poetry, and more to add depth, complexity, or irony to a text. Here are some examples of oxymoron that can help you to understand their meaning.
1. Bittersweet
2. Jumbo shrimp
3. Deafening silence
4. small crowd
5. Pretty bad
Although they may primarily seem illogical, the oxymoron meaning in English to create sense in context, and it is used for making irony, emphasis, dramatic effect, or humour.
This was the oxymoron definition and examples that describe its meaning formation and use. Now let’s explore more about the oxymoron figure of speech in detail through the following sections.
As you identify that an oxymoron literary device formed by using two opposite words. Mainly, oxymoron is used to make sentences more effective, engaging, present familiar words in one, create humour, or any dramatic effect. Thus, to make things clear, here are some examples of oxymorons used in sentences. Have a look.
1. "Sweet sorrow": The reminiscence of our last gathering was packed with sweet sorrow.
2. "Awfully good": The event seemed awfully good, even though it was a bit boring.
3. "Open secret": Her news of getting pregnant is an open secret within her family.
4. "Deafening silence": After the appalling announcement, a deafening silence filled the campus.
5. "Clearly confused": She was clearly confused when she tried to solve the game.
6. "Controlled chaos": The get-together was a prudently orchestrated blend of controlled chaos.
7. "Brief eternity": That feeling of accomplishing the competition felt like a brief eternity to my sister.
8. "Working vacation": The reason for this tour was a working vacation, which I think is quite the oxymoron.
9. "Pretty ugly": The sunset was pretty ugly, all that dark blue and orange.
10. "Uninvited guest": At the wedding, we welcomed her as an uninvited guest.
These are a few examples of oxymoron in a sentence. Overall, using this figure of speech in a sentence is easy only when you know the right approach. However, if you use the wrong oxymoron figure of speech in sentences or anywhere, it can change the meaning and may sound wrong. So use it correctly. Now let’s figure out why writers use oxymoron in their writing through the next section. Have a look
Writers use oxymoron figure of speech, for a variety of reasons, such as
1. Creating emphasis
2. Highlighting the irony in the context
3. Provoke deeper thought in readers
4. Develop a literary theme
5. Brings uniqueness to writing, making it more engaging
These are some of the reasons why writers like William Shakespeare use oxymoron in their writings. So, if you want to use Oxymoron for Everyday Use, then you must go through the next section.
Here are some more examples of oxymoron that can be used in everyday life. They are easy to understand and not so complex to use. So have a look at them.
| Oxymoron | Sentence Examples |
|---|---|
| Pretty ugly | I feel these designs are pretty ugly and not up to my expectations. |
| True fiction | Sammy likes reading that is true fiction. |
| Original copy | College asked us to submit the original copy for admission. |
| Whole piece | Lisa demanded that she wanted the whole piece of brownie. |
| Virtual reality | Technological advancement in the educational department is completely based on virtual reality. |
| Cruel kindness | Hurting their pet dog was reflected as an act of cruel kindness. |
| Small crowd | I saw that there was only a small crowd in front of the general store when I went to buy groceries. |
| Sweet sorrow | There is always an emotional sweet sorrow in beholding each and every farewell function. |
| Awfully good | The movie seems like awfully good. |
| Open secret | Naina, moving to Paris, is an open secret. |
| Clearly confused | I can see that she was clearly confused since she did not answer my questions satisfactorily. |
| Organised mess | My room is an organised mess. |
| False truth | This is just the false truth. |
| Friendly fight | My brother and I had a friendly fight. |
| Completely unfinished | Jessica left the painting completely unfinished. |
| Painfully beautiful | During the pregnancy time the process of giving birth is painfully beautiful. |
| Awfully pretty | Kailey looked awfully pretty at the party today. |
| Alone together | It appeared to be relishing each other’s company alone together. |
| Growing smaller | My uncle feels that I am growing smaller every time he comes back after a tour. |
| Only choice | Accepting this job offer was my only choice. |
| Working holiday | Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow a working holidays. |
| Unbiased opinion | The teacher asked the students for an unbiased opinion. |
| Walking dead | After an entire day of continuous practice, the team members looked as if they were walking dead. |
| Foolish wisdom | Everyone was astonished at her foolish wisdom. |
| Seriously funny | The final dance stage was seriously funny. |
This was the table full of oxymoron used in the sentences. Numerous types of oxymoron are used in everyday life. Thus, if you want to practice how oxymoron in a sentence can be used, then you must solve various worksheets. Therefore, for you, we have shared an exercise on the oxymoron literary device in the next section. So, let’s solve together.
After understanding the oxymoron definition. Now it’s time to solve the worksheet to see how much you have comprehended this. In this, you have to create an oxymoron by using the right word. One word is given, and the other one you have to add. Also, we have given an answer sheet for cross-checking. So let’s have a look.
1. ______ + elephant
2. Passive + ____________
3. ____________ + confused
4. Defeaning + __________
5. ____________ + dead
6. Alone + ____________
7. Bitter + ___________
8. ___________ + chaos
9. ____________ + common
10. Action + _________
Answers
1. Tiny + elephant
2. Passive + aggressive
3. Clearly + confused
4. Defeaning + silence
5. Living + dead
6. Alone + together
7. Bitter + sweet
8. Controlled + chaos
9. Unusually + common
10. Action + plan
To sum up, using oxymoron in daily conversation in sentences can make your statement better and extraordinary. It is mainly used to emphasize, irony, and humor. In this guide, we have shared oxymoron definition and examples, worksheets, and how writers use this. Besides, it may require you to put a little more effort to learn this, for solving the worksheet would be the best gateway. Also, if you want any worksheets on other topics such as personification, metaphor, simile, alliteration, synecdoche, paradox, and hyperbole. You can connect to our experts at Gradding, they will provide all types of worksheets based on different figure of speech. So talk to them today.
1. What is an oxymoron with examples?
An oxymoron is an important figure of speech in English grammar that combines two ideas or contradictory terms to form a specific effect. Additionally, it highlights the paradox or irony. For example, bittersweet, small crowd, same difference, etc.
2. What is a perfect example of an oxymoron?
The perfect example of an oxymoron is bittersweet. It combines the contradictory idea of something being both sweet and bitter. It is an experience or feeling that is both enjoyable and tinged with regret or grief.
3. What is an oxymoron in real life?
An oxymoron in real life is combining two contradictory words to add a layer of meaning, create emphasis, or simply to make a point more memorable. Moreover, it creates a paradoxical effect used for irony to form a more memorable or vivid image of any phrase.
4. Is love hate an oxymoron?
Yes, love-hate is an oxymoron. This phrase creates a meaning that allows the presence of intense affection and enmity within a relationship. However, when it is combined, they depict a relationship of complexity and paradox.
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