oxymoron
oxymoron
Pronunciation
Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown
The most common IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) phonetic spelling for "oxymoron" in US English is:
/ˌɑːksɪˈmɔːrɑːn/ or /ˌɑksɪˈmɔrɑn/
The breakdown of the sounds for each syllable:
1st Syllable: /ˌɑːk/ or /ˌɑk/
The sound of the first 'o' is similar to the 'a' in father.
The 'x' is pronounced as /ks/.
2nd Syllable: /sɪ/
The 'y' is pronounced as the short 'i' in it.
3rd Syllable (Stressed): /ˈmɔːr/ or /ˈmɔr/
The 'o' is pronounced like the vowel in more (a long 'o' sound followed by 'r').
4th Syllable: /ɑːn/ or /ɑn/
The 'o' is pronounced like the 'a' in father or similar to the 'o' in on.
Word Form Variations
The term oxymoron primarily exists as a noun, but it has several derived forms:
Singular Noun: oxymoron
Plural Noun (Common): oxymorons
Plural Noun (Rhetorical/Classical): oxymora
Adjective: oxymoronic (e.g., an oxymoronic statement)
Adverb: oxymoronically (e.g., speaking oxymoronically)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
The following original definitions are consistent with the common use and understanding of the word "oxymoron" and its variations, grouped by part of speech.
Noun: Oxymoron
Definition 1 (Rhetorical Device): A figure of speech in which two seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms are deliberately combined to achieve a rhetorical effect, often revealing a surprising truth or complex meaning.
Example: "Cruel kindness" or "living dead."
Synonyms: Contradiction in terms, paradox, inconsistency, antinomy.
Antonyms: Tautology, truism, certainty, axiom.
Definition 2 (General Use): A phrase, term, or concept widely regarded as nonsensical because its component parts are considered to be mutually exclusive in a given context.
Example: "Business ethics" (used humorously or cynically).
Synonyms: Absurdity, anomaly, illogic.
Antonyms: Consistency, congruence, coherence.
Adjective: Oxymoronic
Definition: Characterized by or constituting an oxymoron; having the quality of a deliberate or an unintentional self-contradiction.
Synonyms: Paradoxical, contradictory, incongruous, self-negating.
Antonyms: Axiomatic, coherent, logical, compatible.
Adverb: Oxymoronically
Definition: In a manner that is self-contradictory or paradoxical, especially when using an oxymoron for dramatic or witty effect.
Synonyms: Paradoxically, contradictorily.
Antonyms: Logically, consistently.
Examples of Use
📚 In Books and Literature
Classical Literature: "Parting is such sweet sorrow" (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet). The combination captures the simultaneous pain and pleasure of separation from a loved one.
Epic Poetry: "A darkness visible" (John Milton, Paradise Lost). This phrase is used to describe the light of Hell, which is just enough to see the torment.
Modern Literature: The term "The Tragic Comedians" was used by author George Meredith as the title of his 1880 novel.
Literary Analysis: "The concept of an 'honest politician' is often cited as a classic example of an oxymoron used for satirical effect in political discourse."
📰 In News and Online Publications
News Commentary: "The budget proposal's description of 'negative growth' is a classic economic oxymoron meant to soften the language of a recession" (The Guardian, June 2012).
Technology & Culture: "For many users, trying to find your way through the outdated interface felt like a state of organized chaos; a software experience that was an oxymoron unto itself."
Political Discourse: A columnist stated that "a 'temporary tax increase' has become the most distressing political oxymoron of our time, often turning permanent" (Insider NJ, December 2021).
Feature Articles: "The term 'business ethics' is, for many cynics, the greatest oxymoron of the modern corporate world" (The New York Times, May 2019).
🎬 In Entertainment and Media Platforms
Film Titles: Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and True Lies (1994) are famous film titles that use the rhetorical device of the oxymoron.
Song Titles/Lyrics: "Hello I Must Be Going" (Groucho Marx/Phil Collins album title) and "The Sound of Silence" (Simon & Garfunkel song title) are well-known examples in music.
Television/Film Genre: The popular phrase "The Living Dead" is used across various media platforms, including George A. Romero's film series and AMC's The Walking Dead.
Character Descriptions: A movie critic might describe a character as a "wise fool," or an idiot savant, to capture their contradictory nature.
🗣️ In General Public Discourse
Everyday Phrases: People often use and understand phrases like "jumbo shrimp," "open secret," "same difference," and "working vacation" as common or clichéd oxymorons.
Humor/Sarcasm: When commenting on poor performance, one might say, "That was an exact estimate of zero, wasn't it?"
Personal Reflection: "Saying goodbye to my college roommates was a deeply bittersweet moment."
Social Commentary: The concept of "friendly fire" is an oxymoron often used in discussions of military and accidental casualties.
10 Famous Quotes Using Oxymoron
"Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives." (John C. Maxwell)
"The term 'serious actor' is kind of an oxymoron, isn't it? Like 'Republican party' or 'airplane food.'" (Johnny Depp)
"The expression, 'My life' is actually an oxymoron, a result of ignorance and mistaken assumption." (Bernd Heinrich)
"I personally think intellectual property is an oxymoron." (John Perry Barlow)
"First, I have the privilege of being Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. It is not an oxymoron I assure you." (Pat Roberts)
"Romantic comedies tend to be, for me, an oxymoron." (Christian Bale)
"'Quiet leadership' is not an oxymoron." (Susan Cain)
"Financial innovation is an oxymoron; it's a euphemism for hiding leverage." (Steve Eisman)
"My personal view of the anarch-capitalists is that it's an oxymoron." (Vermin Supreme)
"That phrase 'theatre community,' in my experience in New York, is a complete oxymoron." (Stephen Schwartz)
Etymology
The word oxymoron is a fascinating case because its origin perfectly illustrates its meaning—it is, in a way, an oxymoron itself!
🌍 Greek Roots
The word comes from a combination of two ancient Greek words:
1. Oxýs ($\text{ὀξύς}$): This means "sharp," "keen," or "pointed." This root is also found in English words like oxygen (meaning "acid-maker," referring to a sharp taste).
2. Mōrós ($\text{μωρός}$): This means "dull," "foolish," or "stupid." This is the root of the English word moron.
✨ Original Meaning
When these two Greek roots are put together (oxys + mōros), the word literally translates to "sharply foolish" or "pointedly dull."
This literal definition captures the very essence of the rhetorical device: an oxymoron combines two words that are foolish (opposite) together, but in doing so, it creates a sharp (clever or insightful) new meaning.
📅 First Known Use
The term was brought into the English language in the mid-1600s (specifically, it is first recorded in 1656).
First Meaning: When it was first used in English rhetoric, it was a technical term for a figure of speech that deliberately joined contradictory terms to create a startling effect or reveal a deeper truth (like "sweet sorrow").
Phrases + Idioms Containing Oxymoron
Because oxymoron is a technical term for a figure of speech, it doesn't have many common idiomatic phrases. Its use is generally restricted to classifying or commenting on language.
Here is a list of common, lesser-known, and original phrases and idioms using the word oxymoron or its closely related concept, "contradiction in terms," for a similar effect:
💬 Phrases and Idioms Using "Oxymoron" Directly
A classic oxymoron (Used to refer to well-known examples like jumbo shrimp or deafening silence).
The ultimate oxymoron (Used to emphasize the extreme or perfect nature of a contradiction, e.g., "His phrase, 'sincerely phony,' is the ultimate oxymoron.")
To be an oxymoron (Used to classify a phrase or concept, e.g., "The phrase 'military intelligence' is often considered an oxymoron.")
An oxymoron in the truest sense (Used to validate a phrase as a genuine, deliberate rhetorical device).
💡 Supplemental Phrases Using Synonyms or Similar Effects
These phrases are used to describe a self-contradictory idea when the word itself may not fit the idiomatic flow:
A contradiction in terms (The most common synonym phrase, often used interchangeably with oxymoron, e.g., "The concept of 'peaceful invasion' is a clear contradiction in terms.")
A study in paradox (Used to describe a situation or concept that is rich with contradictory elements, relating to the nature of an oxymoron).
Talking in circles (An idiom describing speech that is contradictory or endlessly self-defeating, like a sentence full of unintentional oxymora).
The irony of the statement (Used to highlight the contradictory nature of a comment, which is the effect an oxymoron achieves).
A paradoxical truth (A phrase that describes the deeper meaning often revealed by an oxymoron, such as "less is more").
A rhetorical contradiction (A straightforward, technical way to refer to the device without using the Greek-rooted word oxymoron).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of oxymoron from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
