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oxymoron | noun [ C ]
singular > oxymoron uk /ˌɒk.sɪˈmɔː.rɒn / ~ us /ˌɑːk.sɪˈmɔːr.ɑːns /
plural > oxymorons uk /ˌɒk.sɪˈmɔː.rɒn / ~ us /ˌɑːk.sɪˈmɔːr.ɑːns /
The Cambridge Dictionary explains oxymoron as "two words or phrases used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings ("Oxymoron").
In Encyclopædia Britannica, oxymoron is defined as "a word or group of words that is self-contradicting" or "a paradox compressed into two words." Oxymorons are a figure of speech and are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. ("Oxymoron 2").
Examples:
For most of the nineteenth century, scholars treated “medieval science” as an oxymoron. ("Oxymoron").
The genre of 'historical fiction' is an oxymoron to begin with. ("Oxymoron").
The term 'constitutional democracy' can be interpreted as either an oxymoron or a tautology. ("Oxymoron").
Thus, aural spectacle is and is not an oxymoron. ("Oxymoron").
loud silence | lonely crowd | living death | bittersweet | jumbo shrimp | agree to disagree ("Oxymoron 2").
Speech excerpt from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare ("Oxymoron 2").:
Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!
O any thing, of nothing first create!
O heavy lightness! serious vanity!
Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms!
Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health!
Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!
This love feel I, that feel no love in this.
Video Explanations with Further Examples:
Sources:
“Oxymoron.” Cambridge Dictionary, University of Cambridge, dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/oxymoron. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
“Oxymoron.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/art/oxymoron. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
EverydayEnglish. “What Is an OXYMORON? | Learn with Examples.” EverydayEnglish, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWBF8Y-WagE. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Dr Aidan. Oxymorons Explained, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV1DiFVNUoU. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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