OXYMORON


An oxymoron is a literary device. It is a contradictory phrase where on part of the phrase is the opposite of the other part of the same phrase. Oxymoron is a Greek term derived from oxy ("sharp") and moros ("dull"). Oxymora are a proper subset of the expressions called contradiction in terms. What distinguishes oxymora from other paradoxes and contradictions is that they are used intentionally, for rhetorical effect, and the contradiction is only apparent, as the combination of terms provides a novel expression of some concept. A normal phrase may also be called oxymora to infer an insult, such as using American Culture as an oxymoron, or Smart [NAME OF PERSON] as an oxymoron. The most common form of oxymoron involves an adjective-noun combination. Some examples may include:

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